• Entry type: Person
  • Entry ID: AWE2266

Maroney, Susan Jean (Susie)

  • OAM
(1974 – )
  • Occupation Swimmer

Summary

Champion marathon swimmer Susie Maroney set six world records in her eighteen year career. She was awarded the OAM and is an Australia Day Ambassador.

Details

Susie Maroney began competing in swimming carnivals at the age of seven. A successful endurance swimmer, she came second in the first Australian marathon (16 km) at the age of fourteen. At fifteen, she became the youngest person and fastest Australian to swim the English Channel. Two years later she was the fastest person to complete a return swim across the Channel. She won the Manhattan Island swim race three times: in 1991, 1992 and 1994.

In 1993, the Maroneys became the first family to swim the English Channel. The relay included Pauline (50), Mike (26), Karen (24), Lindy (22), Susie and Sean (18).

In May 1997, at the age of twenty-two, Maroney completed a 180 km swim from Cuba to Florida, the first person to do so. The following year she swam a record 197 km from Mexico to Cuba, the longest distance ever swum without flippers in the open sea, in 38 hours and 33 minutes. In Havana she dined with President Fidel Castro, who applauded her achievement.

Maroney made the Guinness Book of Records for the longest distance swum in 24 hours (93.6 km) and was twice inducted into the International Hall of Swimming Fame. Twin brother Sean, a triathlete who often accompanied his sister on her marathon swims, died in 2002 and Maroney retired from swimming the following year.

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