Hawkesbury’s Swimming Hero Does It Again

Well, he has done it again.

If you remember, Michael Payne swam the English Channel in 2022 and on July 30, he swam across the Irish Sea from Northern Ireland to Scotland.

This stretch of water is known as North Channel.

Michael’s father, Stephen Payne said Michael set off from a rocky point called Robby’s Point on the North Irish coast at 6:37 am.

“The water was a cool 13 degrees,” Mr Payne said.

“He was fortunate to have relatively calm conditions to start his epic swim.

“Full sun and low winds meant fast swimming and great progress.”

Mr Payne said the two big issues for swimmers in this channel are the cold water and the Lions Main jelly fish.

“The Lions Main are quite poisonous and thrive in these waters with tentacles that can be 10 metres in length,” he said.

“Having good conditions in North Channel is rare but as the day wore on the conditions got better.

“At times, there was no wind and the water was quite glassy.”

Michael didn’t speak for the entire swim, remaining focused on the plan he’d set.

Feeding on liquid carbohydrates the entire way resulted in great progress.

Michael was stung twice on his journey, but he didn’t let it phase him.

As he neared Scotland, the tide turned and the sea became choppy, but Michael maintained a solid pace.

Michael completed the swim in 10 hours and three minutes.

“He is the fastest and youngest Australian to complete North Channel,” Mr Payne said.

“And, like his English Channel he is the first and only Hawkesbury resident to complete the North Channel.”

Michael lives with his parents at Kurrajong and enjoys representinig the Hawkesbury with his swimming exploits.

Training for this swim was a challenge, especially as Michael is studying nursing at Charles Sturt University and had numerous placements in Western NSW to complete.

Not one to let anything hold him back, Michael still managed to train long and hard, following what his land coach, James Sweeney, and coach, Jackie Barck, gave him to complete.

Michael said he had always wanted to the Ocean 7, a big international series of swims, ultra marathon swims, inspired by swimmers like WA’s Andy Donaldson.

He spent a month in Ireland prior to the swim acclimatising to the cold water.

“You have to be mentally and physically prepared and know that you’re going to go through a dark age - a dark patch areas of the swimm,” Michael said.

“You’re going to be alone.

“You’re going to be bored.

“You have to prepare yourself mentally.”

Michael swims in the Hawkesbury River, swims in cold water and hits the gym for muscle strength.

“I also put on 10 kilos for this swim,” Michael said.

“It’s good for strength and endurance, your self image is harmed because you don’t want to be overweight.”

His parents, Steve and Jenni Payne served as his mentors through the entire preparation and his handlers during the swim.

After completing the swim, Michael hauled himself out on the rock and put his arms up to announce he was finished, then he sat down and rested for two minutes.

“I was so happy I was in Scotland,” he said.

“Then I swam back to the boat, sat down and processed what had happened.

“I got warm, soapy water put over my whole body to treat the stings.”

Last year, Michael attempted the Cook Strait swim, but had to be pulled from the water just 4 km away from the finish due to serious hypothermia and being very sick.

He also went to Japan to attempt the Tsugaru Strait, a 19.5 km swim.

Unfortunately, he swam about 39 kms, but was swept away by the current and was not in the vicinity of the end location and had to be pulled from the water.

Michael and his parents have travelled to Spain, where he hopes to tackle the Strait of Gibraltar if the conditions are right.

His window of opportunity is just one week long.

Michael also plans to swim the Catalina Channel in September.

Keep your eye on this young man, he is sure to go far.

IMAGE: After completing his massive swim, Michael has soapy water rubbed over his whole body to treat his jellyfish stings.

IMAGE: Young Michael Payne celebrates his victory, sporting the Aussie flag.

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• Swimming
• People