Bonnie Hancock

I was reading about sharks and crocodiles stalking Freya for up to 100 kilometers.

But it was like a gut feeling, like this is something I have to do.

Not that I even want to do.

I have to do this.

And whether it was that craving for adventure, I'm not sure.

But...

you know, in December of 2021, I took that idea.

I set foot on that line at the Mermaid Beach and I turned right.

I paddled out and turned right.

Yeah, absolutely.

I'm third in line of four girls.

I've been competitive since a very young age.

I remember...

when my older sisters could shoot three-pointers on the basketball court.

I remember this day we had a basketball court in our backyard and I stood out there all afternoon throwing this ball at this hoop as it started to get dark and mum's calling me inside and I would not go in until I could do that.

I just wanted to do what my older sisters were doing.

At the age of 12, I have a really specific memory of sitting in the lounge room with my sister Courtney watching Carla Gilbert, the

you know, famous Iron Woman run around on the TV.

And it was just a thought.

I want to be like Carla.