About | Andy Donaldson

Meet Andy Donaldson

The swimmer driven by purpose, passion, and people

I’m Andy Donaldson, a Scottish-Australian ultra-marathon swimmer from Perth, Western Australia.

Swimming has always been a significant part of my life, guiding me from competitive pool swimming in Scotland to conquering some of the toughest channel swims on the planet.

Along the way, I’ve used sport as my vehicle to help others and champion causes close to my heart, like mental health and ocean conservation.

From record-breaking swims like in the English Channel to completing the Ocean’s Seven within a year, my journey has always been about more than just sport - it’s about creating meaningful change, helping others, and contributing to something bigger.

UltraSwim 2023 - AD Montenegro 5 (Mark Lloyd).JPG

Where It All Began

Growing up in the UK with a Scottish Father and Indonesian Mother, I followed my older sister and cousin into swimming. It wasn’t long before the pool became my second home, taking me on the path I'm on today.

Specialising in 200m events, I dreamed of qualifying for the Olympic and Commonwealth Games, and in 2013 driven by those ambitions, I moved to Perth, Western Australia, to chase these goals.

The journey was one I loved, and along the way, I made lifelong friends, learned invaluable lessons about hard work and perseverance, and experienced the highs and lows that only sport can bring.

Unfortunately, I fell short of realising these dreams and eventually stepped away from the sport. While it wasn’t the outcome I had hoped for, this chapter laid the foundations for everything that followed.

A Journey Within

In 2016, I stepped away from swimming to focus on life after sport and build a career as a chartered accountant. Determined to succeed, I threw myself into work and study, unknowingly creating an imbalanced life.

At first, things seemed to be going well, but over time, my health and wellbeing began to suffer. By 2019, I found myself burned out, ahd questioning the path I was on and who I was becoming. I knew something had to change.

Fortunately with the support of those around me, I made the decision to quit my job, pack my bags, and pursue a long-held dream of travelling.

The experience was unforgettable - filled with adventure and self-discovery - but more importantly, it gave me the space to reflect. While it didn’t solve everything, this time helped me realise I wanted to use my skills to help others all around the world.

When Covid struck, I returned to Perth uncertain of what lay ahead. Though a chance encounter with a friend, Martin Smoothy, led me back to the water - and with it, a renewed sense of purpose and direction.

Why We Swim

During lockdown, my friend Martin Smoothy encouraged me to join him for daily swims along the Perth coast. What started as a great way to get some fresh air and exercise quickly became something much more.

I realised just how important swimming was for me - not just for fitness, but as a way to support my mental wellbeing, connect with nature, and regain a sense of community.

Inspired by this, Martin and I co-founded Swimclan, a group dedicated to helping adults build confidence in the water, pursue goals, and achieve personal growth through swimming.

Swimclan became more than just a swim group - it became a supportive community where people could connect, encourage one another towards goals, and experience the life-changing benefits of swimming.

Through this journey, I found a spark to revisit some of my own unfulfilled dreams, and with the encouragement of those around me, I began training again.

In the Pursuit of Dreams

In 2020, I decided to revisit a long-held dream: to win the 19.7km Rottnest Channel Swim solo.

It would be no small task - the event attracts some of the world's best marathon swimmers, and I knew I’d need to be at my absolute best.

With my coach Eoin Carroll at City of Perth Swimming Club, we set out to rebuild fitness, regain form, and train smarter than the competition.

Eight months later, on Saturday 20th February 2021, it all came together in a performance that became one of the fastest crossings in the event’s history. We'd done it, I had won the men's solo in a time of 4:04:30.

That victory became a turning point for me. It was more than just a journey to achieve a personal goal, but it showed me what's possible with full commitment, the right support, and purpose beyond yourself.

Along the way, we had raised $12,000 for local mental health charity Kai Fella, and the experience ignited my hunger for more challenges. But it also sparked an idea that sport could be for more than the pursuit of dreams. It could be used to help others and create meaningful change.

The Oceans Seven

After the Rottnest Channel Swim, I set my sights on my biggest challenge yet: to complete the Ocean’s Seven - the world’s seven toughest channel swims - all within a single year.

It was a journey like none other. Over 12 months, I swam through freezing waters, battled relentless conditions, and faced physical and mental challenges that pushed me further than I ever thought possible. Each swim was a test of endurance, resilience, and determination.

Logistically, the challenge was just as demanding. Organising swims across the globe, raising funds for mental health awareness, and self-financing the project pushed me far beyond my comfort zone. It meant facing countless hurdles and enduring plenty of sleepless nights.

But with persistence, dedication, and the support of an incredible team, we made it happen. I became the first person to complete the Ocean’s Seven in just one year, breaking several world records along the way whilst raising over $50,000 AUD for mental health research.

Perhaps more importantly, the journey became proof that purpose can in fact be combined with sport. It showed that we can achieve our dreams and the amazing things that are possible when we unite behind goals that are greater than ourselves.

In the Pursuit of Purpose

Since completing the Ocean’s Seven, I’ve made it my mission to continue swimming with purpose and using my skills to help others.

From swimming 220km around the island of Maui, Hawaii to advocate for ocean health as part of Epic Swim Maui, to breaking the World Record for the fastest swim around Manhattan Island, I’ve continued to push boundaries while using swimming as a platform to drive change.

I’ve also begun sharing my story and the lessons learned along the way, hoping to inspire others to pursue their dreams and overcome their own challenges.

Whether I’m in the water, speaking with others, or supporting a cause, my goal is simple: to inspire people to chase their dreams, help others through the power of sport, and leave the world a little better than I found it.