The Outback is a remote, vast, sparsely populated area of Australia.  It can be scorching hot and blistering cold with wide climatic and geological variation ranging from its savanna landscape to a variety of deserts.

Broken Hill is located in the far west region of outback New South Wales – where one of the most unlikely and endearing channel swimmers has emerged, 52-year-old Brendan Cullen (@the.desert.swimmer).

Cullen, a sheep grazier, describes his evolution as a celebrated swimmer upon the release of his new book, The Desert Swimmer, “This has been such an emotional roller coaster. My life and swim journey all rolled into one. It is an absolute privilege to have the opportunity to tell my story. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that this moment would present itself, nor did I look for it.

Through putting together this book, I have found a strength and courage that I never thought possible. A strength that I know will both resonate with readers and give those that need a leg up the power to forge forward in life, no matter what the circumstances. The excitement of knowing this book might change people’s lives for the better fills my heart with pure joy.“

The Desert Swimmer: From Severe Depression on an Outback Sheep Station to Swimming the English Channel was released in March 2026 (see here on Amazon) while Cullen has endeared a growing legion of fans with his story on a variety of interviews and podcasts ((listen here for one example on The Blue Room).

• He completed a 33.5 km crossing of the English Channel in 17 hours 0 minute with pilot Stuart Gleeson and Channel Swimming Association observer Deborah Vine in July 2022
• He completed a 33.5 km relay crossing of the English Channel in 2023
• He completed a 32.3 km crossing of the Catalina Channel with coach Mike Gregory in 13 hours 3 minutes at the age of 52 in August 2025

© 2026 Daily News of Open Water Swimming

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