The swim started with very little wind and 26 degree Celsius water temperature, which is not much to my liking as I love the colder water.

• Grant Robinson got in and swam with me on occasions
• Matt Logan and Brooke Withers shared kayaking
• My wonderful wife, Jenny, prepared feeds, water bottles, did stroke counts and gave very nicely timed bits of encouragement.

About the last 4km to 6km was into a head wind.  For the first time in a long time, I did not wear a swim cap as it keeps in the warmth, which I didn't want to do.  I also poured a bottle of cold water over my head at every 20 minute drink break.  I occasionally was confused about which bottle was to drink and which bottle was to pour over my head!

My tongue started swelling up from the very salty water; and taking water was a bit difficult near the end of the swim.  Once I rounded the Point of Headland, which leads into Patong Beach, it was a great thrill to swim the 3 1/2km into the shore.  Another great thrill was for my team members, Brooke Withers, Grant Robinson, and wife, Jenny Pittar, who swam the last 200 metres with me whilst Matt Logan was kayaking.  I got up and walked over the tidal mark to finish the swim on my own.

It was surreal for me to walk through a 3" high wave, finish the swim, walk up on to Patong Beach, and sit down on a deck chair.  All I could think of was how lucky I am as 15 months earlier, Patong Beach was wiped out by the Tsunami; and I walked up the beach knowing that the beach, the deck chairs, and all the busineses have all returned.  It is magnificent for the area of Phuket and was a proud moment for me to arrive safely onto a well renouned beach.