About
Swimming the Gap is a 27km open ocean, marathon swim held in the stunning waters from Green Island to Yorkeys Knob, Cairns. Founded in 2021 by two Masters Swimmers and friends, Jesse O'Hara and Joel Little, the event raises awareness and funds to help close the education gap for First Nations young people. The 27km ocean channel between Green Island and Cairns represents the gap in education outcomes for Indigenous Australians.
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Considered one of the country's most treacherous channels, completing Australia's longest open ocean swim is an epic achievement. Swimmers stay motivated by knowing they are helping our amazing charity, AFL Cape York House Foundation, to build positive futures for young Indigenous Australians.
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In 2022, Harriet Grant and Kaname Woodfield became the first women to attempt the swim with Harriet being ratified into the Marathon Swimmers Federation as the first woman to in the world to complete it.
The swim is run according to strict marathon competition rules.
If you can see it, you can be it!
Our Mission
To help close the education gap for young Indigenous Australians.
Our Vision
Our vision is that all young people, no matter what background, have equal opportunity to attain an education of their choice.