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Splash for Cash ambassadors splash out

Ambassadors for the 2009 Splash for Cash include:

Susie Maroney
Guy Leech
James Pittar
Brooke Hanson

Susie Maroney named as an ambassador for Splash for Cash

Champion marathon swimmer Susie Maroney OAM is once again lending her support to the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children’s Splash for Cash swimathon.

Susie is no stranger to RIDBC, having lent her support to many previous Splash for Cash events. This year she encourages swimmers of all ages and abilities to join her and help raise much needed funds for deaf children and blind children.

“I'm absolutely delighted and honoured to be an ambassador for RIDBC’s Splash for Cash swimathon. I look forward immensely to being there on the day and meeting everyone,” she said.

At the tender age of 15, Susie became the youngest and fastest Australian to swim the English Channel. At 16 she broke the World Record for a double Channel crossing – England/France/England – in 17 hours. Susie went on to break six world records and completed her historic swim from Cuba to the USA – the first person ever to do so – in 23 hours 47 minutes. This was followed by her longest swim ever, Mexico to Cuba over 200 kilometres in 30 hours 23 minutes.

Amongst her many awards and honours, Susie has received the OAM, NSW Sportsperson of the Year, Australian Young Achiever of the Year and the Paul Harris Rotary award for community service.

Susie is a popular media personality, appearing on international shows such as the David Letterman show and Good Morning America. She is also a keen supporter of a number of community initiatives, including the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children’s Splash for Cash swimathon.

Guy Leech dives in to Splash for Cash

The Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children (RIDBC) welcomes Australian Iron Man Guy Leech to the 2009 Splash for Cash team.

“I'm happy to help such a great cause,” Guy said.

As the event ambassador, Guy will be cheering on swimmers at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre on 28 March.

To help everyone gear up for their swim, Guy has prepared a special 8-week Splash for Cash training program and some great swimming tips. Click here to see the Guy Leech Splash for Cash training guide.

As Australia's face of fitness, Guy is passionate about encouraging a better community commitment to fitness and health.

In 1984 Guy Leech shot to fame as a 19-year-old with an extraordinary against the odds victory in the first ever professional Iron Man race – the Coolangatta Gold. In front of 120,000 spectators, and a massive television audience, Leech personified the fabled bronzed Aussie with his sun bleached hair, outgoing personality, athletic talent and fighting spirit. Leech went on to dominate Iron Man competition for the next 10 years.

“Leechy” won an amazing seven Uncle Toby's Iron Man Championships and the World Iron Man title, an event many believe to be the ultimate test of fitness. Leech also won the Australian Marathon swimming championships, represented Australia in still water swimming and triumphed in his first attempt at the World Ocean Paddling championships in Molokai, Hawaii, a gruelling 56km open ocean ski race between the Hawaiian islands of Molokai and Oahu.

In 1994 Guy was crowned “Australia's fittest Athlete” by the Australian Institute of Sport, beating elite athletes from our highest profile sports. Inside Sport magazine dubbed him “The Fittest Man on the Planet” the following year. He is now 44 years old and remains in phenomenal shape, so much so that Ultra Fit magazine called him the “Fittest 40 year old on the planet” in its 100th issue.

In 2007 Guy launched Guy Leech Health, a company helping others get fit through daily morning men and women’s training groups. Guy also trains world class athletes such as seven times world surfing champion Layne Beachley and Olympic beach volleyball gold medallist Kerri Pottharst, as well as high profile ambassadors with weight and health issues such as Casey Donovan, Jono Coleman and Dicko.

But Leechy’s list doesn’t end there; he has also trained celebrities such as Madonna, George Clooney, Antonia Kidman and currently looks after Tom Williams and Paul O’Brien, just to name a few.

Guy feels very passionate about Australia and is doing all he can to address the health issues like obesity and heart disease that are affecting kids and adults in this country like never before. He has established a multi media platform to educate Australians about the importance of fitness and health and motivate them towards a healthier lifestyle. In conjunction with industry leaders MBF and Nutritioncare, Guy has developed his own range of premium yet affordable fitness and sports equipment that is available at Kmart stores around Australia.

Guy continues to utilise television, radio and print media to cement himself as Australia's face of health and fitness. Apart from helping the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children, Guy is the ambassador for the Heart Research Institute of Australia and runs, swims, cycles and paddles to raise awareness and money for more charities than any other Australian celebrity. He is married to wife Helen and they have two daughters, Paloma and Phoenix.

For more information about Guy Leech and his fitness initiatives, visit www.guyleech.com.au.

Blind, long-distance swimmer, James Pittar, again lends his support to Splash for Cash

Well-known blind long-distance swimmer, James Pittar, is again appealing for more swimmers to make a big splash at this year’s Splash for Cash swimathon.

“Whether it's one lap or 300, you can help RIDBC provide support to children who are deaf or blind across Australia,” James said.

James Pittar was born on 5th October 1969 and began swimming at an early age. Like most Australians, he was like a duck taking to water. Sports meant a great deal to James; in fact, it was in his blood. And his hard work paid off handsomely.

James has represented Australia in swimming during:

1994 at the Far East and Southern Pacific championships in China;
1991 at the National Championships in Thailand;
1990 at the World Championships in the Netherlands.

This is an impressive record for any athlete but especially so for this one. James Pittar is blind.

In the spring of 1985, James was diagnosed with Retinitius Pigmentosa, a rare disease of the retina, which over the next two years stripped him of his sight. He has been legally blind since the age of 16.

Instead of retreating, losing his sight made James literally go further. He refocused his efforts and has subsequently made stunning achievements in long-distance swimming.

For more information about James, visit www.freestyleman.com.

Brooke Hanson Splashes out in Quirindi

The Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children (RIDBC) welcomes Olympic champion Brooke Hanson to the 2009 Splash for Cash team.

As an ambassador for this year’s Splash for Cash, Brooke visited recently traveled to Quirindi in the northern NSW tablelands to attend the town’s first ever Splash for Cash swimathon. During this event, Brooke and her husband Jared ran a swim clinic for up-and-coming swimmers.

“Splash for Cash is a fantastic way to get the message out there that more money is needed for this great cause,” Brooke said. An Olympic gold and silver medallist, Brooke made her debut for the Australian Swimming Team in 1994.

Representing Australia over 20 times at major international championships, Brooke claimed several podium finishes along the way including the 2004 World Short Course Championships where she made history, winning a record six gold medals.

Brooke’s work on the TV Week Logie winning show “What’s Good for You” earned her a nomination for best new female talent.

Since her retirement from competitive swimming Brooke released her autobiography ‘When Silver Is Gold’.

Brooke now continues to balance her blooming professional media career with, sponsor appearances, motivational speaking, charity events, swim clinics and her commitment to promoting a healthy and active lifestyle for all Australians.