The Heartbreaking Moment That Stopped Two-Time Australian Olympian and Ironman Legend Ky Hurst In His Tracks There was a quiver in Ky Hurst’s voice when the Australian waterman great spoke of his youngest daughter, two-year-old Ocean, as he prepared to head to his happy place, the beach, with his family on the Gold Coast.
Aptly regarded as one of Australia’s greatest ever oceanmen, a two-time Olympic marathon swimmer, Lifesaving Ironman Hall-of-Famer, and yachtsman extraordinaire, had a lump in his throat when revealing that Ocean suffered from epilepsy. Ky and wife Katie have spent much of their time over the past two years in and out of hospital after Ocean had experienced unexplained seizures. One of Australia’s toughest ironmen who has conquered the heaviest of oceans, swimming, surfing and manoeuvring every kind of craft from surf skis and paddle boards to SailGP yachts had a lump in his throat. Nothing had prepared the 42-year-old father of three as he witnessed “his little girl” experience her confronting ordeals with epilepsy.
Hurst and Australia’s Queen of the English Channel Chloe McCardel are the 2024 ambassadors for the Speedo Starlight Super Swim – a month-long February fund raising effort where all Australians can swim laps to raise much needed funds . Hurst took a deep breath before revealing his own personal connection and his family’s experiences in hospital, something Hurst is personally passionate about, saying he didn’t hesitate in getting involved. “Our youngest, Ocean has epilepsy and the amount of times Katie and I have been in an out of hospital has been ridiculous, so it is a real personal connection,” said Hurst as his voice quivered at the thought of what his little girl was experiencing.
“To see Ocean (go through that)…yeah, it’s pretty confronting for any parent – she’s our youngest and we’ve never been in and out of hospital so much. ‘So what Starlight is doing in trying to get an Express Room in every single hospital across Australia is amazing and we are so lucky to have a foundation for our kids and the children around the country. Hurst, retired from a long and successful professional racing career, is now putting back into the community on the Gold Coast as head coach at the Mermaid Beach Surf Life Saving Club and his own Clinics around the country – and he too has jumped back in the pool to help raise these much-needed funds and create awareness.
The Super Swim challenge is open to all ages and fitness levels. You can complete the challenge at any location across Australia – this could be a pool, the ocean, a lake, or your local swim school! Funds raised from Super Swim will help support Starlight’s vital, in-hospital programs. STARLIGHT SUPER SWIM REGISTRATIONS