Caitlin O'Reilly

Kia Ora! I’m Caitlin O’Reilly, an ultra-marathon swimmer, ocean lover, and passionate advocate for marine conservation. I recently became one of just 34 people to complete the Ocean Seven, an elite series of the world’s most challenging open-water swims, often compared to the Seven Summits in mountaineering. These swims span the globe, including Cook Strait (NZ), Tsugaru Strait (Japan), the English Channel (UK), North Channel (UK), Strait of Gibraltar (Spain), Catalina Channel (USA), and Kaiwi Channel (USA), with distances ranging from 18km to 42km and swim times between 6 to 14 hours.

My journey as an open-water swimmer began at 12 when I crossed Cook Strait, sparking a lifelong passion for pushing my limits in the ocean. Since then, I have taken on numerous endurance swims, including completing the length of Lake Taupō twice—once in 2019 and again in 2022. In 2022, I doubled the challenge, swimming the lake twice in a single effort, covering 80km in 28 hours. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when international travel was restricted, I set my sights on a local challenge—Foveaux Strait, a 26km swim from New Zealand’s South Island to Stewart Island, where I battled frigid waters ranging from 12 to 14°C.

With every swim, I gain a deeper appreciation for the ocean and its incredible power, which has fueled my passion for marine conservation. Our oceans are under threat due to human impact, and I aim to use my swimming to raise awareness and inspire action to protect these vital ecosystems for future generations.

Alongside my swimming career, I’m studying for a Bachelor of Health Science in Paramedicine. This allows me to give back to my community, both in and out of the water, combining my love for endurance challenges with my desire to help others. Whether it’s through swimming or healthcare, my goal is to make a difference—for people and for the planet.