On March 3rd 1985, Meda McKenzie (21, New Zealand, Marathon Swimmers Federation bio) completed the first known 34 km circumnavigation swim around Rarotonga in the  Cook Islands in 17 hours 27 minutes.

Two days later, Don Carlaw and Pa Teuruaa, both of Rarotonga, attempted the second circumnavigation swim around Rarotonga. Carlaw finished in 17 hours 15 minutes, but Teuruaa was unable to complete the swim.

In September 2017, 41-year-old Dan Abel completed the next known circumnavigation swim around Rarotonga in 11 hours 2 minutes. He raised funds for Autism Cook Island for his efforts.

Last week, a quartet from Hawaii – Chris Chuck (33, @chrischuck_), Ryan Leong (53, Marathon Swimmers Federation bio, @salty_ry), Rachel Randall (33, @rachie.randie), and Thomas Rathbun (29, @thomasrbun) completed the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth circumnavigation swims around Rarotonga. Their tandem swim took 11 hours 35 minutes. Chuck said afterwards, “The swim was great because it was very clear and you could see the beautiful reef below almost the entire time.”

Like Abel, McKenzie, and Carlaw, they swam in the clockwise direction and started and finished at Trader Jack’s Beach.

© 2025 Daily News of Open Water Swimming

“to educate, enthuse, and entertain all those who venture beyond the shoreline“

A World Open Water Swimming Federation project.