Carrie Barker

I'm swimming to save lives

  • This is my first year diving

  • in for youth mental health

This is my first year diving in for youth mental health as part of the Laps for Life CEO Challenge.

Did you know suicide is the leading cause of death for young people in Australia?

That means that each year more young people die by suicide than in car accidents or from cancer.

This March I'm joining a collective of other business leaders swimming 10km to raise $10,000, to make sure young people in Australia have the mental health support they urgently need.

By sponsoring my challenge, you’ll be helping to prevent youth suicide.

All funds raised will help young people feel better about today and the future, no matter what challenge they're facing.

Final fling

1.2 in the pool as it was raining so seemed a great choice of exercise I have loved this journey

And that’s a wrap!

well I started in the slow lane and finished in the slow lane. But I have really enjoyed this challenge! 20k 👍👍👍

Shark 🦈 sighted!!

all good intentions to swim Manly to Shelly and the beach was closed! ended up in the pool for a 1.3k swim. I’m getting fitter but not faster!

Still in the slow lane

lol working on my style and it’s getting better but I keep getting lapped in the slow lane!!! 1.2k done and dusted x

Swimming pool form

pushed myself to come to the pool to work on my stroke post my lesson on Weds who knew swimming was such an aerobic sport of done properly!! I’m def improving but have a long way to go:)

Swimming lesson

So much to learn!! straight legs, kick from the hips, head down, pull arms, breathe as arm moves, and straight arms ahead at the catch finally I felt through a couple of laps like I could swim!!

Back to the pool

Happy Monday! 1.4K in the pool trying to work on my speed…..I still get lapped in the slow lane 😂maybe one day I’ll over take someone I’m loving swimming it makes me feel so good and energised

Yeah!!! i swam manly to shelly and back

My dream came true and I loved it! looking at the fish and swimming in the waves somehow worked today I can’t believe I did it!!!

Ettalong repeat

Beautiful clear skies and warm water. I felt yesterdays swim in my legs as I swum 1.2k I don’t seem to be improving in the sea…..but I’ll keep on trying

Ettalong friday

couldn’t really be bothered to swim….but made an effort and I’m so pleased I did The waves were mainly fine…at one end the waves were much bigger .i held my nose and bobbed under a few times lol! not quite the ocean swimmer yet!

Monday morning wake up

the arm woke me from a deep sleep and after snoozing it was touch and go…swim or snooze?! 1.2k in the pool working on my style and speed and of course I’m so pleased I got my self out of bed I feel great!!! Happy Monday

Reluctant swimmer

750m at Balmotal in the rain. not feeling it and very out of breath but felt good after x

Balmoral

Oli and I swum for the first time together at Balmoral it’s so much harder swimming in the sea!!! I will persevere 😣

Day 5 pool

I swum 400 m and then had a lesson which was great focussing on my arms….swum for an hour in total!

Day 4 pool

so happy swum 1k in 29.19

March 3 swim 3

in the calm waters of the pool!! 1k in 31mins 6 pull, 2 kick, 2 backstroke

Ettalong x 2

yes, that felt better and quicker than yesterday. the water was so warm and there were small waves to navigate 😂

Day one

Into the muddy but warm water at Ettalong Beach. swam for 50 mins mainly free style getting used to the sea and waves. tried to think about my Thorpey advice. good news is that I didn’t swallow as much sea water as usual

My Swim Progress

I've swum

21.70km (0 laps)

My Goal

20km

How do you compare to other participants?

Average Distance Swum: 9m

Average Distance Goal: 16KM

My Impact

So far this year I helped provide...

1736

Young people with vital mental health support.

Fundraising Progress

Raised

$6946

My Goal

$10,000

So far, you’ve raised 69% of your fundraising goal!

Raised

$0

My Team Goal

$0

So far, you’ve raised nan% of your fundraising goal!

Raised

$3,504,151

All Goal

$3,600,000

So far, you’ve raised 98% of your fundraising goal!

Thank you to my Sponsors

$555

Sara Flaksbard

Best of luck from the Laissez Faire Team

$555

Debbie

You are AMAZING!!

$260.75

Lara Batton

You’re amazing and I’m so proud of you!! What an important fundraiser Helping young people in crisis and in need ❤️

$255.54

Rex Wood

$255.54

Carrie Barker

$255.54

Claudine Husband

You're simply amazing Carrie!! 👏👏👏

$250

Matched by Reef Shark Foundation

$205.50

Elaine & Jonathan

You got this Carrie.

$201.64

Facebook Donation

$135.04

Kerri-Ann Smith

So proud of you!!!! You go girl 🩷🩷

$135.04

George Boutros

$135.04

Sandra Pepper

Go my friend!!!! You are an inspiration and such an important cause to support. ❤️

$135.04

Oldrich Kovarik

You are my champion

$135.04

Rhonda Hogg

You are an inspiration Carrie, all the best for your training and competitions

$106.12

Jenny Bartholomew

$106.12

Michael Dimitrios

Well done Carrie

$106.12

Maxine Floyd

Go Carrie, such a great cause - amazing swimming!

$106.12

Paul Schulte

Amazing cause congrats!

$106.12

James

Go Carrie! Fantastic cause

$106.12

Sue Affleck

Go Carrie - you’ve got this!

$106.12

Jo Runciman

You are amazing!!

$106.12

nicholas ingate

$106.12

Stu Mackay

Well done legend.

$106.12

A fan

$106.12

Andy & Sue Nightingale

Well done Carrie! Love Andy & Sue xx

$101

Alex Franks

Mum you are amazing

$100

Charlie Valente

You're an inspiration Carrie. Proud to call you a friend. Looking forward to rocking the pink cap with you. x

$100

Lindsay Rogers

Go Carrie go!!

$100

Deb and Mike

With love Deb and Mike x

$100

Debbie and Tim

Lots of love Debbie and Tim x

$94.86

Jo McEwan

Well done Carrie, a legend and an inspiration! Amazing cause ❤️ Jo

$80.25

Andy Franks

For Rita x

$75.14

Claudy Faasse

Go Carrie go Super inspiring, make sure to have fun😃

$65

Angelo Grasso

$64.67

Carlie Philby

You continue to be an inspiration to me. You got this!!!!

$64.67

Jo Boyd

You’ve got this Carrie 💪 Good luck from myself , Holly and Archie xx

$60

Sue Lee

With love Sue and family x

$56.24

aly Jolly

Wonder Woman 💥❤️🏊‍♀️🥇

$56.24

Isobel Howard

$56.24

Dennings

Go Carrie, v proud of you… I did a 60km challenge in May/June last year for my 60th, just keep going and you’ll do it… and what a superb cause! 👏👏👏

$56.24

Petrina Baker

Good luck, you are continually an inspiration 🙌

$56.24

Helen Jones

Go girl .. you are amazing !

$56.24

Bev Reid

Go Carrie! Very impressed, great cause. Xx

$56.24

Suzanne Williams

Hi Carrie. Amazing challenge you’re embracing for an important cause. Love to catch up soon n clink a glass to you, you legend. Love Suze x

$56.24

Jax

Inspirational as always !!

$55.50

Jai Sanderson

So proud of you and in awe of everything you achieve and generously give

$54.12

Trish Rogers

Conquering your fears is an inspiration!

$54.12

Luca

Go get em xx

$54.12

Margaret Hamill

$54.12

Nicky Dolman

So inspiring Carrie - love Nicky and Paul xx

$54.12

Tayla

$52.92

Sarah Cocksedge

go girl. great cause. i can’t swim so i’m most impressed xxx

$52

Heidi Odonnell

Inspirational darling go out there and be the awesome human you are. You have got this x

$50

The real Jax

Lots of love from the one and only Jax xx

$49.76

Facebook Donation

$43.60

Karen Inman

Lots of love Karen and family x

$43.60

Tracy Harris

Go Girl..I'm so proud of you!♥️

$43.60

Kathy Hamill

Go Carrie, go! xo

$43.60

Julie Burton

Fantastic job Carrie. Such an amazing achievement.

$40

Jennifer Lugsdin

Carrie I've been watching your efforts on Strava - unbelievable, you are a true inspiration. The mental health of our youth is in decline and it's great to supprt organisations such as ReachOut. Congratulations!

$40

Meredith Cadman

Love from Meredith and family x

$40

Viv, Chris, Megan

With love Viv, Chris and Megan x

$33.15

Ruth Devine

Love always xxx