Ultramarathon swimmer Liana Smith on swimming after injury, the power of time alone, and the peace of swimming at night

Liana Smith was thriving as a competitive swimmer when chronic back pain led to a diagnosis of a spinal fracture. She underwent a spinal fusion at the age of 17. At the time, it felt to Liana as if her swimming career was over – she was on full bedrest and had a long recovery, both physically and mentally. She spent the next seven years out of the water. Liana was working as a high-country shepherd in Queenstown when she went for a swim with the Southern Lakes Swim Club (SLSC). Realising she could still swim well and enjoyed it – and was fast in the open water – Liana set her sights on NZ's Triple Crown, with the support of swim legend Philip Rush (who has his own Swim Chats episode). Liana became the eighth person to complete the Triple Crown, is the Crown's fastest female swimmer, and also holds the world record for the fastest-ever Foveaux Strait swim (6h19m). Earlier this year she became the first person to swim without a wetsuit from Kinloch to Queenstown (46km) in the 'fresh' water of Lake Wakatipu. Amazingly, that epic distance wasn't the planned total (she was aiming for a Kingston finish but was thwarted by strong winds) so next summer Liana will tackle the 'full' 74km distance of Lake Wakatipu! For Liana's ultramarathon swims she raises funds for I Am Hope, a charity that supports young people with their mental health.Follow Liana's Instagram page, Swim for SomethingLearn more about I Am HopeLearn more about the Southern Lakes Swim ClubRead about Liana's dip in the remote Lake Unknown (Stuff news article)The photo of Liane was taken by Wayne Martin.* Support the podcast via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/SwimChats⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Swim Chats on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hit 'Follow' so you don't miss an episode. Thanks for listening! :-)