White Ribbon and Surfrider Foundation message spruiked by Gold Coast mermaid
JULIANA Thomson is a ‘mermaid with a message’ and has taken to the sea to help get her message heard.
Surfing
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JULIANA Thomson is a ‘mermaid with a message’ and has taken to the sea to help get her message heard.
The professional lifeguard from Newcastle is paddling up the NSW and Queensland coast from Newcastle to Noosa to raise money for two charities, the White Ribbon Foundation and the Surfrider Foundation.
Having set out on June 26 to cover the 100km challenge, Juliana was due off the Tweed Coast yesterday and off the Gold Coast today, with a rest planned in Surfers Paradise tomorrow.
She hopes to reach Noosa on August 7, 43 days after she started and in doing so set a new world record for distance paddling.
Her journey included paddling through NSW’s ‘shark alley’ off the coast of Ballina but with her paddle board equipped with a new hi-tech shark shield, she said she had not been too worried by the predators.
“”Every day on the water has been different — full of ups and downs and not just the swells,” she said.
“There have been moments at sea which have seen me crack both mentally and physically but I think of the reasons why I am doing this and the people who are supporting me and that spurs me on.”
Covering up to 25kms in a day, Juliana is followed by a support crew member on a jet ski while a land-based team monitors their progress from shore.
Along the way, she has appreciated encounters of marine life of all kinds.
“I have seen plenty of turtles, had pods of dolphins swimming around me and even tried to keep up with whales,” Juliana said.
“In fact, I had a couple of whales get very curious about me and they came over to check me out — it was amazing.
“And yes, I have had some encounters with sharks — I even had a 16’ white pointer just following me for a while, so I am not sure but would like to think the shark shield worked.”
The Surfrider Foundation is encouraging Tweed and Gold Coast residents to line headlands along Juliana’s journey and cheer her on as she passes and those feeling fit can join her on the ocean to give her a welcome into Queensland when she crosses into Gold Coast waters.
To follow her progress or to donate to her cause, visit the website at www.mermaidwithamessage.com.au
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