Back in 2024, two-time Olympic swimmer Val Kalmikovs (52, Latvia, MSF bio here) completed an unprecedented 24.7 km swim down the Gordon River on the west coast of Tasmania, Australia.
The Director of the Keppel Islands Swimming Association says, “I absolutely love that place – Tasmania is amazing. We do an 15 km swim on Derwent called the Cliff 2 Bridge, as well as few other swims. [But] there are so many other options and are planning a new series of swims.
We are so far away from everything. It is silly to travel all the way here for only one swim. With the TWWS, one has three swims already plus there is an option of Derwent River Big Swim, Rottnest Channel Swim, and Port2Pub.
In 2026, we are doing a trial tour to do all three swims as an adventure between March 10th and 18th with only 5 swimmers. Three spots are taken already by swimmers from Brazil, New Zealand, and Australia is represented. But we have a schedule planned out for all the future trips until the year 2030, just in case.”
Tasmanian Wild West Series
- Gordon River Challenge, The Last Wild Swim: 24.5 km river swim from St. Johns Falls to Heritage Landing through an ancient World Heritage-listed rainforest in cold and dark water. Only Val Kalmikovs has completed this swim in history.
- Lake Pedder Challenge, In Search of the Lost Lake: 21 km lake swim on Lake Pedder of wild and serene beauty – no swimmer has yet completed it.
- Iron Pot Challenge, Hobart to Storm Bay: 22.5 km ocean swim from the Tasman Bridge to the Iron Pot Lighthouse from urban fringes to the wild Southern Ocean, a course first completed by Rod Watkins in 2022.
A true waterman, Kalmikovs explains the Tasmanian Wild West Series, a series of 3 open water swims held over 9 days in Tasmania, “The Wild West Series in Tasmania presents an unparalleled experience for the truly dedicated open water swimmer. Spanning nine days, this adventure immerses participants in some of the most remote and spectacular aquatic environments Tasmania has to offer. I curated three of Australia’s most epic open water swims that showcase distinct characteristics and a history of pioneering achievements, encompassing river, lake, and ocean environments. This remarkable series has never before been available to swimmers.
The first challenge is a 24.5 km journey along the Gordon River, stretching from St. Johns Falls to Heritage Landing. This pristine waterway cuts through ancient World Heritage-listed rainforest, offering swimmers a rare and immersive encounter with untouched wilderness. The water, cold and glassy, shines dark brown from the tannins of the surrounding forest, mirroring the majestic Huon pines lining the banks. Swimming this segment fosters a deep emotional connection with the landscape’s biology, awakening a primal sense of humanity and a profound link to the planet.
The Gordon River descends 570 meters over its 172 km course much of which is located in an uninhabited wilderness area, contained with the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park and Southwest National Park. The lower part of the Gordon River is part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area and contains a cold-climate rainforest and rare trees.
The second leg of the series takes swimmers across Lake Pedder, covering 21 km amid its “Celtic-like” expanses. Navigating through islands and rugged ranges, participants experience the lake’s wild and peaceful beauty. Although Lake Pedder is now a vast impoundment, the carefully designed course highlights its unique features and remains an untamed frontier—no swimmer has completed it to date.
The final swim is a 22.5 km trek from Hobart’s Tasman Bridge to the Iron Pot Lighthouse. This dynamic course transitions swimmers from the city’s edge to the untamed Southern Ocean. With Mt Wellington towering behind, the swim offers awe-inspiring views and a deep appreciation for both the power of water and humanity’s ability to challenge nature’s wild frontiers.
The Wild West Series represents more than a collection of swims. It is an invitation to form a deep bond with Tasmania’s wild heart, tailored for those seeking the ultimate test in open water against a backdrop of extraordinary natural beauty.“
For more information, visit www.iswimhappy.com/twws
© 2025 Daily News of Open Water Swimming
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