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This is the first in a new series of videos that I will produce from time to time where I subject myself to a physical challenge. Given that my background is distance open water swimming it seems fitting to start off with a a marathon swim at the picturesque 'Encounter Lakes' in South Australia. By way of an introduction as to what constitutes an official 'marathon swim' these days, I have to go back to 2008 when the Olympic Games first featured a 10 km open water swim, a swimming marathon. From that date it has been considered that a marathon swim should be classified as a swim of a duration of 10 km or more (as opposed to 25 km which was the official distance prior to this). This is somewhat appropriate as the average time it takes a decent distance swimmer to do a 10 km swim is not too dissimilar to that which a decent marathon runner runs a 42 km marathon on the road. There is some parity here. Unlike in most competitive open water events I will likely be using a full length wetsuit for all of the swimming physical challenges I do. Now I know some hard core open water swimmers out there may thumb their nose a bit at the idea of this and I must admit I came from that mould too. If you'd have asked me 10 years ago I would have been dead set against endorsing wetsuits for any type of event or recognised swim on the principal of parity, but it occurs to me that just because something can be done without and it is arguably more challenging doesn't necessarily mean it is best practice. After all, one can climb high on many mountains in shorts and a T-Shirt if you get the right weather but the folly there is pretty clear. I'm wearing it mainly for protection from the sun but acknowledge it provides some protection from other environmental issues such as the cold and stinging jellyfish. I'm planning to test a variety of suits and this will be part of the conversation moving forward. I also note on this subject that FINA has approved certain wetsuits for some events that take place in extremely cold conditions. This arguably opens up the sport to more countries and more competitors. Anyway it's a subject I'll revisit as I produce more videos on the topic. For my first Physical Challenge video I've chosen to swim 6 laps of Encounter Lakes which is located in Encounter Bay, South Australia. That's a total distance of 10.14 km. For this challenge I'm using the very reasonably priced Orca S6 wetsuit. Stay tuned for many more marathon swimming challenges. You can also follow us on: YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQOBMWgTY8cNcThvGhdEnIw BitChute https://www.bitchute.com/channel/ZM4m9qxJolUE Minds https://www.minds.com/ozinpictures Our Website (where we upload our articles) https://www.ozinpictures.com

In 2016 we spent a week in Tulumban, Bali, We stayed at the Matahari, Resort, which is very well equipped for divers and excellent value for money. Visibility was not quite as crystal clear as it can be in the area. But even then it provided a certain atmosphere, particularly around the resort itself and the garden of statues known as 'Suci Place'. It reminded me of an early morning mist. We did a number of dives over the trip but for this video I've chosen to focus on 'Suci Place' and the Boga wreck which is a short drive away at Kubu along with the stunning Tirta Gangga Royal Water Gardens. You can also follow us on: YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQOBMWgTY8cNcThvGhdEnIw BitChute https://www.bitchute.com/channel/ZM4m9qxJolUE Minds https://www.minds.com/ozinpictures Our Website (where we upload our articles) https://www.ozinpictures.com

The St Kilda Mangrove Trail is a well known boardwalk built on the coast of this seaside suburb in South Australia (not to be confused with the suburb in Victoria with the same name). St Kilda itself was built on what is a reclaimed part of the Barker Inlet. It was once home to just fishermen but is now well known for an adventure playground and a tramway museum. There is a large area of mangrove swamp in the tidal zone and in the mid 1980's a boardwalk trail was built through the mangroves to be used by the public to get closer to the environment without impacting upon it. You can also follow us on: YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQOBMWgTY8cNcThvGhdEnIw BitChute https://www.bitchute.com/channel/ZM4m9qxJolUE Minds https://www.minds.com/ozinpictures Our Website (where we upload our articles) https://www.ozinpictures.com

One of the most well known cave diving sites in Mount Gambier is Allendale Cave which is located in the middle of a road! Attempts were made in the early days to fill what was thought to be a large hole in order to build the road over it but later on when it was established that it was actually a water filled cave of significant size this futile process was stopped in favour of building one lane either side. It's must have been an interesting site to behold in the early days by locals but now watching fully equipped divers waiting for a gap in the traffic before crossing in full diving gear and descending down the steep entrance slope is common place. What awaits is a stunningly clear dive site. The small entrance lake leads to a steep slope and eventually a large cavernous chamber down the bottom. There are also some tighter areas to explore for the more adventurous. You can also follow us on: YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQOBMWgTY8cNcThvGhdEnIw BitChute https://www.bitchute.com/channel/ZM4m9qxJolUE Minds https://www.minds.com/ozinpictures Our Website (where we upload our articles) https://www.ozinpictures.com

Morialta Conservation Park is a nature reserve in the Adelaide Hills in South Australia and is well known for it's seasonal waterfalls. It covers an area of 5.3 square kilometres and is popular with bushwalkers, rock climbers and photographers. There are numerous trails but most involve visiting 1 or more of the waterfalls. The Three Falls Hike is the longest and visits all the parks major attractions. You can also follow us on: YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQOBMWgTY8cNcThvGhdEnIw BitChute https://www.bitchute.com/channel/ZM4m9qxJolUE Minds https://www.minds.com/ozinpictures Our Website (where we upload our articles) https://www.ozinpictures.com

St Mary Peak is the highest point in the Flinders Ranges and is a bucket list hike in Australia for keen hikers. Located in Wilpena Pound, It's a demanding hike but within the ability of most healthy active people as long as adequate steps are taken. You can ascend to the Tandarra Saddle via a trail on either the outside (the steeper approach) or the inside (less steep but longer approach) of the pound. From there you follow a futher rocky trail to the summit itself. To do the full loop (taking in both the outer and inner trails and the trail to the summit) is 21.5 kilometers and requires a full day. An early start is preferable particularly in summer. You should take a minimum of 4 litres of water, climb in good weather (in the wet it can be very slippery). Needless to say you should also take sunscreen and wear appropriate footwear. On a clear dy the view from the summit itself is hard to put into words. Pictures don't do it justice, you have to go there nd do it yourself. I fully recommend anyone who is physically capable does it at lest once in their life. You can also follow us on: YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQOBMWgTY8cNcThvGhdEnIw BitChute https://www.bitchute.com/channel/ZM4m9qxJolUE Minds https://www.minds.com/ozinpictures Our Website (where we upload our articles) https://www.ozinpictures.com

There is a series of well known freshwater ponds and channels called Ewens Ponds near Mount Gambier in South Australia that are popular with scuba divers and snorkellers. What is less well known and not completely obvious is that there is creek that goes from the 3rd pond to a seldom visited 4th pond and then continues all the way to the coast. It's called 'Eight Mile Creek' although it doesn't get it's name from it's length but rather because where it finishes at the coast is about eight miles to the east of Port MacDonnell. It's closer to 2 kilometers in length. When in the channels and creek you can drift along effortlessly and enjoy the ride due to the constant downstream water flow. It's a really nice trip that takes just over an hour with crystal clear water most of the time. Unlike most of the freshwater activities in Mount Gambier which one needs to be a qualified cave diver to experience, this one can be enjoyed by anyone who can swim although a thick wetsuit is recommended as the water seldom gets above 16 degrees centagrade. You can also follow us on: YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQOBMWgTY8cNcThvGhdEnIw BitChute https://www.bitchute.com/channel/ZM4m9qxJolUE Minds https://www.minds.com/ozinpictures Our Website (where we upload our articles) https://www.ozinpictures.com

Mount Remarkable is locted in the Southern Flinders Ranges in South Australia in a national park (of the same name as the peak). It is 995 metres high and while there are a number of hikes in the area the summit hike is the most popular. This hike can be done from the eastern side of the range starting from the War Memoril Monument. A hike to the summit and back is just over 12 kilometers. You can also follow us on: YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQOBMWgTY8cNcThvGhdEnIw BitChute https://www.bitchute.com/channel/ZM4m9qxJolUE Minds https://www.minds.com/ozinpictures Our Website (where we upload our articles) https://www.ozinpictures.com

Moonta Bay is located on the Yorke Peninsula in South Australia. The area was well known for copper mining and you can visit some of the historic mining sites on the tourist railway which departs from the platform adjacent to the Moonta Mines Museum. The area is sometimes referred to as 'Little Cornwall' and it is probably little wonder that the locals claim that they make some of the best cornish pasties. The area is popular with locals and the jetties are popular with fishermen and scuba divers. A DJI Spark drone was used to capture the footage of the area including Moonta and Port Hughes jetties, the coastline of Moonta Bay, the mangroves approaching the Bird Islands and the Moonta Mines Tourist Railway. You can also follow us on: YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQOBMWgTY8cNcThvGhdEnIw BitChute https://www.bitchute.com/channel/ZM4m9qxJolUE Minds https://www.minds.com/ozinpictures Our Website (where we upload our articles) https://www.ozinpictures.com

The coastline of the Fleurieu Peninsula in South Australia is well known for it's beaches and spectacular vistas. Located to the south of Adelaide and only all of it able to be visited within a day trip it is a popular location for locals and tourists. This video features photos from both the air and the ground of the Murray River Mouth, Port Elliot, Horseshoe Bay, The Bluff, Rapid Bay, Second Valley, Port Noarlunga and Brighton Beach. You can also follow us on: YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQOBMWgTY8cNcThvGhdEnIw BitChute https://www.bitchute.com/channel/ZM4m9qxJolUE Minds https://www.minds.com/ozinpictures Our Website (where we upload our articles) https://www.ozinpictures.com

The Whispering Wall is actually a dam in the Barossa Reservoir, South Australia. It was completed in 1903 and was a revolutionary engineering feat for it's time. However what attracts visitors is the dam's acoustic qualities. Visitors can whisper at one side and their words can clearly be heard at the corresponding position on the opposite side. In this video we get a look at the Whispering Wall and the various views along the Barossa Reservoir from the air. A DJI Spark drone was used to capture the footage. You can also follow us on: YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQOBMWgTY8cNcThvGhdEnIw BitChute https://www.bitchute.com/channel/ZM4m9qxJolUE Minds https://www.minds.com/ozinpictures Our Website (where we upload our articles) https://www.ozinpictures.com

Port Noarlunga in South Australia is located south of the Adelaide CBD and as the name suggests, was originally built as a sea port. It's now primarily a destination for holidays and weekend trips. Probably the most notable feature is a 1.6 kilometer long reef that is partly exposed (particularly at low tide) that runs perpendicular to the shore. There is also a long jetty that goes right up to the reef which is popular with fishermen and also scuba divers that use it to provide a method of entering and leaving the water close to the reef. You can also follow us on: YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQOBMWgTY8cNcThvGhdEnIw BitChute https://www.bitchute.com/channel/ZM4m9qxJolUE Minds https://www.minds.com/ozinpictures Our Website (where we upload our articles) https://www.ozinpictures.com

Port Gawler in South Australia was once an active town due to it's wharf and surrounding grain areas, however it's now known more for fishing, crabbing and bird watching. It's also quite well known for it's off road bike track and go kart tracks. You can also follow us on: YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQOBMWgTY8cNcThvGhdEnIw BitChute https://www.bitchute.com/channel/ZM4m9qxJolUE Minds https://www.minds.com/ozinpictures Our Website (where we upload our articles) https://www.ozinpictures.com

The Great Ocean Road in Victoria, Australia, is a 244 kilometre coastal drive between Torquay and Allansford. It was built by returned servicemen and dedicated to solidiers that lost their lives during World War 1. Appropriately there is a memorial to commemorate this. It's considered the world's larges war memorial and is a popular tourist attraction with it's spectacular views. You can also follow us on: YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQOBMWgTY8cNcThvGhdEnIw BitChute https://www.bitchute.com/channel/ZM4m9qxJolUE Minds https://www.minds.com/ozinpictures Our Website (where we upload our articles) https://www.ozinpictures.com

The Murray River at 2,508 kilometres is the longest river in Australia. It's source is high in the Australian Alps, then meanders across some of the inland plains that form the border between New South Wales and Victoria before entering South Australia which is perhaps where it is at it's most spectacular. It eventually reaches the ocean via Lake Alexandrina (which at it's widest point is itself over 38 kilometres). The Murray is a well known tourist attraction and is also used as a fresh water source. It's a popular destination for water sports and holidays. Perhaps the best way to see it is by doing a houseboat trip on it and it was during such a trip that we took this series of spectacular images. You can also follow us on: YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQOBMWgTY8cNcThvGhdEnIw BitChute https://www.bitchute.com/channel/ZM4m9qxJolUE Minds https://www.minds.com/ozinpictures Our Website (where we upload our articles) https://www.ozinpictures.com