The 2007 Mark Webber Pure Tasmania Challenge
Cooling Off in White Water
21.11.2007
In the deliberately flooded South Esk River in Launceston, Olympic gold medal swimmer Michael Klim was forced to use all his water skills to bring himself back into their nearly capsized raft. After completing a 50m cliff jump Klim and team mate Tory Trewitt were heading down the river when the nose of their raft went under water, toppling Klim and fellow competitor Grace McClure into the raging torrent.
Managing to keep hold of their vessel they scrambled back into the boat and continued down to finish at King’s Bridge and a well earned lunch.
“We got lost four times, two on the bike ride and twice on the trek to the ropes section, and then I nearly drowned. What a day,� says a smiling Klim as he enjoys rare roast beef and gourmet salads after the morning’s Challenge.
Mark Webber was frustrated with the speed of his raft down the river and leaving partner Jason Richardson, jumped ship to another raft that seemed to be making better speed. “He wasn’t too impressed with the progress of our raft and was keen to get to lunch so he dived across to the other raft and made it into the jetty a fair way ahead,� said Richardson.
SleepMonsters
