The Heartbreaking Second 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 nice spoke of his youngest daughter, two-year-old Ocean, as he ready to move to his completely happy place, the seaside, together with his household on the Gold Coast.
BACK IN THE SWIM FOR STARLIGHT: Ky Hurst exhibits the type that made him a two-time Olympian. Photograph courtesy Ky Hurst Assortment
Aptly considered one in every of Australia’s biggest ever oceanmen, a two-time Olympic marathon swimmer, Lifesaving Ironman Corridor-of-Famer, and yachtsman extraordinaire, had a lump in his throat when revealing that Ocean suffered from epilepsy.
Ky and spouse Katie have spent a lot of their time over the previous two years out and in of hospital after Ocean had skilled unexplained seizures.
One in all Australia’s hardest ironmen who has conquered the heaviest of oceans, swimming, browsing and manoeuvring each form of craft from surf skis and paddle boards to SailGP yachts had a lump in his throat.
Nothing had ready the 42-year-old father of three as he witnessed “his little lady” expertise her confronting ordeals with epilepsy.
Hurst and Australia’s Queen of the English Channel Chloe McCardel are the 2024 ambassadors for the Speedo Starlight Tremendous Swim – a month-long February fund elevating effort the place all Australians can swim laps to boost a lot wanted funds for the Starlight Basis that helps 180,000 sick youngsters round Australia.
A Basis that has a $7million fundraising goal for 2024 to assist construct Hospital Specific Rooms – medical-free havens for sick youngsters and their households looking for a welcome break from the relentless cycle of medical remedies and procedures, a spot the place youngsters can simply have some enjoyable!
Requested what drew him to the Starlight Basis, Ky took a deep breath earlier than revealing his personal private connection and his household’s experiences in hospital, one thing Hurst is personally obsessed with, saying he didn’t hesitate in getting concerned.
“Our youngest, Ocean has epilepsy and the quantity of occasions Katie and I’ve been in an out of hospital has been ridiculous, so it’s a actual private connection,” stated Hurst as his voice quivered on the considered what his little lady was experiencing.
OCEANS MAN: Ky Hurst swimming for two-year-old daughter Ocean. Photograph Courtesy Ky Hurst Assortment
“To see Ocean (undergo that)…yeah, it’s fairly confronting for any mum or dad – she’s our youngest and we’ve by no means been out and in of hospital a lot.
‘So what Starlight is doing in making an attempt to get an Specific Room in each single hospital throughout Australia is wonderful and we’re so fortunate to have a basis for our youngsters and the kids across the nation.
“Additionally remembering what the nurses and medical doctors undergo is heart-breaking to see…no matter you are able to do to brighten up our youngsters lives we should always all be bending over backwards to make it possible for occurs.
“When youngsters like Ocean are in hospital and expertise the arrival of Captain Starlight it takes you out of that second of why you’re in hospital.
“it’s a distraction that brightens up youngsters lives, no matter they’re going via…they’re in hospital for a purpose and to have the ability to have the Starlight Basis actually performs a essential function.
“To have an initiative like this all through these Starlight Specific Rooms with the Starlight Tremendous Heroes is sort of a breath of recent air for them and the dad and mom.”
Hurst, retired from an extended and profitable skilled racing profession, is now placing again into the group on the Gold Coast as head coach on the Mermaid Seashore Surf Life Saving Membership and his personal Clinics across the nation – and he too has jumped again within the pool to assist elevate these much-needed funds and create consciousness.
PADDLE POWER: Ky Hurst exhibits his ski paddling prowess. Photograph courtesy Ky Hurst Assortment
“The Starlight Tremendous Swim is such a stupendous factor and what a option to elevate cash via the swim challenges,” stated Hurst.
“If I can create some consciousness and encourage folks to get within the water…and swim their laps and try to elevate a number of {dollars} right here and there, then I’m there daily.
“It doesn’t take plenty of effort on the finish of the day…it ticks all of the containers. You might be getting within the water…it’s good train for you and your normal health and psychological state…and on the identical time you’re incomes cash for a improbable trigger.
“It’s open to all ages and all health ranges. You don’t must be a champion….you simply must swim. Simply swim a number of laps and lift some consciousness and cash for an incredible Basis.
“I’m again within the water….it has definitely motivated me to dive again in and have a swim which is one thing I too must be doing.
“And I’m doing it for Ocean as nicely….we by no means know when she may need one other seizure and land again in hospital once more….”
ABOUT STARLIGHT SUPER SWIM
Tremendous Swim is a digital swim problem from 1 February via to 29 February 2024, aiming to boost $7 million to assist ship happiness to 180,000 sick youngsters.
The Tremendous Swim problem is open to all ages and health ranges. You possibly can full the problem at any location throughout Australia – this may very well be a pool, the ocean, a lake, or your native swim college!
Funds raised from Tremendous Swim will assist assist Starlight’s important, in-hospital packages.
STARLIGHT SUPER SWIM REGISTRATIONS
