Encore: My year circumnavigating Australia on a surf ski
4/28/202652 min
Bonnie Hancock got the idea to paddle around Australia after she stumbled on a book in her local library, the wild adventure ended being a gruelling 12,700 kilometre journey took almost a year to complete.
Along the way, Bonnie met sharks, crocodiles, and sea snakes, she battled unrelenting seasickness and some serious storms. She also met some fascinating characters and saw the whole of Australia from a very unique vantage point.
Further information
The Girl Who Touched The Stars is published by HarperCollinsThis episode was first broadcast in 2024
The producer was Meggie Morris and Carmel Rooney was the Executive Producer.
It explores, sea kayaking, Australia, sharks, crocodiles, sea snakes, dangerous storms, hypothermia, endurance, adventure, physical challenge, mental challenge, competition, psychology, mental health, support and friendship.
To binge even more great episodes of the Conversations podcast with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski go the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. There you’ll find hundreds of the best thought-provoking interviews with authors, writers, artists, politicians, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.
Clips
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsBonnie Hancock· Guest0:00
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Sarah Kanowski· Host0:05
There are many ways to travel around this vast country. Plane is the quickest, of course. Lots of people love a road trip. One of my brothers did it by bicycle. But so far, there are only five people who have paddled their way around the whole of Australia. Bonnie Hancock took on sharks, crocodiles, sea snakes, sunburn, six-meter swells, an incredibly sore bum, and unrelenting seasickness in her quest to be the youngest and the fastest person to circumnavigate Australia on a surf ski. It was a grueling twelve thousand seven hundred kilometer journey, one that Bonnie had to make in her own head as well as with her body, and one which was only possible through the support of a dedicated crew, including her husband, a family of sailing Kiwis, and two gold prospectors with their fishing boat, Good Vibes. Hi, Bonnie.
Bonnie Hancock· Guest1:10
Hi, Sarah. It's so lovely to be on here with you.
Sarah Kanowski· Host1:13
It is lovely and quite astonishing to have you here. I'm glad you're here on dry land next to me. Bonnie, a lot of us tried new stuff during COVID, you know, whether it was baking sourdough or maybe knitting. How did COVID lead you to this idea of paddling around