Qld: Skier to brave sharks and conquer Bass Strait
By Dale Paget
GOLD COAST, Aug 21 AAP - Extreme water skier Brenton McGrath will attempt to make thefastest crossing of the Bass Strait next month to raise money for charity.
McGrath holds world records for the Murray and Mississippi rivers but has never water-skiedon the ocean.
The 41-year-old endurance specialist said today the threat of sharks in Bass Straitwas a good incentive to remain upright.
"They've told me there will be sharks out there because as soon as they hear an outboardengine going they think it's A fishing boat and they start following," said McGrath.
"I'm absolutely petrified of sharks so I won't be going into the water to rest."
McGrath will be ready to start the 365 kilometre crossing on September 17 but willhave a 21-day waiting period to get the best weather.
The attempt will begin at Stanley in North Western Tasmania and finish on the YarraRiver outside the Crown Casino in Melbourne.
McGrath said he not only wanted to become the fastest to water ski the Bass Straitbut if conditions were ideal he could also make the crossing quicker than race boat driverSteve Ackerie's speed record of five hours and 11 minutes.
Two other water-skiers have conquered the Bass Strait. The fastest crossing on waterskis is six hours and 11 minutes.
"I want to ski in under five hours," McGrath said.
"If I can average 80 kilometres the whole way I'll be fine, which is what I've doneon all my other ski events."
McGrath was diagnosed with leukaemia in 1993 but has been clear of the disease since1994. His water ski endurance events raise funds for a cancer respite centre in his hometownof Tweed Heads.
In November last year McGrath became the first person to ski non stop for 36 hours.
He is planning a 60 hour marathon on the Tweed River in November.
"I'm not going to put my life at risk but I'll keep on going until the doctor saysno more," he said.
AAP dp/sc/cjh/
KEYWORD: MCGRATH
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