Former Navy diver Ashley Semmens has set his sights on changing into the primary individual to swim the English Channel — in a peculiar backwards method.
To attain the file, the previous Chief Petty Officer might want to swim on his again for greater than 15 hours, not in a conventional backstroke, however dolphin kicking whereas dealing with the sky, with minimal use of his arms.
He mentioned getting ready for the 34.2-kilometre swim was as a lot psychological as bodily.
“The kicking is successfully how I might work in my earlier occupation,” he mentioned.
“However as a clearance diver there’s a psychological resilience that I can be taking into the swim.
“You may’t do a job like that with out the power to search out consolation in essentially the most uncomfortable conditions.”
No stone is being left unturned in Ashley’s preparation. (Equipped)
Mr Semmens mentioned the fantastic thing about the Sunshine Coast made coaching simple.
“The epic shoreline supplies every part I would like, from lengthy gradual swims on the calm days to the enjoyable of doing battle with the surf when the seas get tough,” he mentioned.
Problem for a trigger
The channel swim is about for June 2025 and goals to lift cash for the Navy Clearance Divers Belief.
The belief is near Semmens’ coronary heart as a retired clearance diver who was medically discharged from the Navy in 2022 after 20 years.
Ashley Semmens was discharged from the navy in 2022. (Equipped)
Mr Semmens mentioned he developed post-traumatic stress dysfunction (PTSD) after his exit.
“In July of 2012 I used to be in a Bushmaster automobile early within the morning when 500 metres down the highway, it initiated an improvised explosive machine, I used to be fortunate to outlive,” he mentioned.
“Within the six months I served within the Center East, I truly additionally misplaced a colleague in an IED assault, I used to be focused by a sniper, and my son was born again in Australia, so I missed the delivery.
He mentioned dwelling by being blown up gave him a uncommon alternative.
“I am utilizing that chance to serve those who I can not stand on the entrance strains with,” he mentioned.
“I hid my psychological challenges for 10 years as a result of I used to be fearful I used to be going to lose my job.
“It obtained to the purpose the place I used to be extra fearful about shedding my life, I knew I wanted to get out and get the assistance that I wanted.”
Reaching breaking level
Mr Semmens mentioned he beloved his job but it surely took its toll bodily and mentally.
“I noticed the world and had unbelievable experiences that I might by no means change,” he mentioned.
“However the breaking level for me was following the evacuation of Afghanistan.
“I had retrained as an interrogator, and I had achieved every part within the diving world I might do.
Whereas Ashley was outwardly in fine condition, he mentioned his psychological well being wanted consideration. (Equipped)
“Throughout this deployment I used to be promoted as a Chief Petty Officer, the place I used to be compelled to maneuver to Sydney away from my household.
“And that is when every part got here crashing down with all of the occasions of the previous 20 years compounded.”
Mr Semmens mentioned he was self-medicating with alcohol, which led to a breaking level.
“I wasn’t nicely sufficient to work, and I used to be rapidly placed on the sidelines,” he mentioned.
“I moved again to Brisbane and began the method of getting higher, which is ongoing to today.”
In elite class
A former elite swimmer rising up in South Australia, he swam on the 2003 Australian Championships going stroke for stroke towards Grant Hackett within the 800-metre freestyle.
He mentioned coaching for the swim had given him one thing to sit up for every day.
The channel crossing is anticipated to take Ashley greater than half a day. (Equipped)
“I grew up in and across the water and I might say it has fostered my restoration,” he mentioned
“Since retiring I’ve been looking for a cause to place the wetsuit again on.
“It made sense to do this while elevating funds and consciousness for ex-service individuals”.
Coach and mentor Scott Berringen, who taught Mr Semmens, mentioned he was an elite swimmer.
“I’m happy with Ash’s achievements up to now however significantly his imaginative and prescient and the way he has been capable of flip his circumstances into the motivation to assist different individuals who have been by related issues,” Mr Berringen mentioned.
“The actual fact he has been capable of flip his state of affairs round is admirable.
“I urge everybody to get behind him, it is not a private pursuit, it is primarily based on serving to different individuals.”
