James Pittar
Blind Long Distance Swimmer & Inspirational Speaker
Inspiring audiences worldwide with stories of resilience, determination, and overcoming adversity through extraordinary swimming challenges.
Contact JamesConquer the Impossible
From the English Channel to Antarctica
Follow my journey through some of the world's most challenging open water swims and discover what's possible when you refuse to let limitations define you.
Explore James' SwimsSwimming Blind
My New Book - Available Now
A powerful memoir about navigating life's challenges and achieving extraordinary goals. Discover the lessons learned from a life lived in darkness.
Watch the promoEpic Swims
From the English Channel to Antarctica, discover incredible long-distance swimming achievements that push the boundaries of human endurance.
Public Speaking
Powerful keynotes on resilience, adversity, and achieving the impossible. Inspire your team or organization.
New Book
A powerful memoir about navigating life's challenges and achieving extraordinary goals against all odds.
Featured Swims
Extraordinary journeys through water, pushing the limits of what's possible
Bering Strait Relay
📍 Bering Strait, Providenia Russia to Alaska USA
🏊 86 km
In 2013 from August 4to August 11 I was involved in the first ever relay swim across the entire length of the Bering Straits from Provideniya Russia to Cape Wales Alaska USA. There were 66 swimmers from 16 countries and from 6 continents. The average temperture of the water was 5 degrees Celcius and we would swim for a total of 10 minutes in an relay format and at the end of your 10 minute swim you would high five the next swimmer and the swim would continue in a relay format. We lived on a 100 metre Russian military ship whilst involved in the swim. We endured big swells, cold, fog and the unknown North Alaskan current, but we eventually completed the relay swim on the 11th of August . Our swim was inducted into the 2020 Guiness Book of Records and we also received the 2013 World Open Water Swimming Associations Performance of the Year for 2013.
Strait of Gibraltar
📍 Strait of Gibraltar, Spain to Morocco
🏊 14 km
I attempted this swim between Spain and Morocco on the 30th of July 2002 and I got off to a good start. This swim is 14 kms long, but after a good start, the conditions quickly changed and the tides changed and I was not making the progress that I shold have been making and as this is one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world you cant afford to be making any errors. After a while it was determined that I would not make it to Morocco and the observer pulled me out of the water and for the first time in my swimming career I had not completed an open water swim and I found this hard to take. But with the great presence of my team, I was given another chance 2 days later on the 1st of August 2002 and this time I knew that I would need to swim very well to beat the tides and this time I did beat the tides and after 4 hour and 51 minutes I completed the swim of 14 kms . This swim is not only swimming between 2 countries but swimming between 2 continents which is quite amazing. Swimming from Europe to Africa. I was very delighted to have completed the swim on my second attempt and for all of the efforts of my team to have given me another chance of completing the swim. I was the first blind person to complete the swim and the first Australian to complete the swim.
Perth to Rottnest Island
📍 Perth to Rottnest Island, Western Australia
🏊 19.7 km
I attempted the Perth to Rottnest Island swim on 6 consecutive years from 1998-2003. My times ranged between 7 hours 42 minutes in 2000 and 10 hours and 3 minutes in 2003. My first Rottnest Island swim in 1998 was on the 21st of February 1998 and I used this swim as one of my lead up swims for the English Channel swim later in 1998. In the 1998 Rottnest Island swim we had 7 foot cross swells and it was a very difficult day of swimming, but this was what I was looking for in relation to a good hit out prior to the English Channel. The water conditions are a lot warmer then the English Channel, but to have rough conditions throughout the swim in the Indian ocean and also my team also had a good hit out in relation to how we woulduse the whistles and feeding in this Perth Rottnest Island swim of which we would use later in the year for the English Channel was valuable. I completed my first Rottnest Island swim in 1998 in 7 hours 51 minutes and I was very happy with how this swim went. For next 5 years 1999-2003 I would always start my swimming year with doing the Perth to Rottnest Island swim.
What People Say
Hear from those who've experienced James's inspiring story
Lisa Faddy
Conference organiser • BFP Executive
" James delivered a powerful and uplifting Keynote presentation at the March 2026 Boutique Financial Planning Principals Association Conference. He speaks with an honest, natural style that immediately connects with the audience. Delegates described his talk as “brilliant,” “absolutely fantastic,” and “amazing,”. He is an inspirational speaker who engages with the audience and will keep everyone motivated and energised. "
Kelly Pacey
Executive Assistant to the General Manager • Nambucca Valley Council
" James Pittar is a remarkable individual who has many achievements and is truly an inspiration. James was our Council’s 2026 Australia Day Ambassador and attended our awards event with his delightful wife Jenny. Listening to James and his incredible swimming journey left the audience in awe of all he has achieved. James was captivating in his speech, drawing everyone in with his incredible English channel swim story, even cracking a few jokes along the way. James and Jenny remained after our event and assisted with cutting the ceremonial cake and talking with members of our wonderful community. They also stayed for dinner with our committee members, Councillors and staff where James shared more of his remarkable life. A huge thank you to James and Jenny for sharing their journey. "
Karen Sander
Story campaigner • Founder-Host of Storyroom Live
"In September 2024, under the theme Second Chances, James Pittar stepped onto The Story Room stage and quietly commanded the attention of everyone in the room. Losing his sight in his teens could have ended his athletic dreams, but James refused to be defined by his blindness. Instead, he searched for a new path and found it in the open ocean. A true quiet achiever, James shared his remarkable journey with grace and humility. His story of swimming—yes, swimming—the Bering Strait in an international relay from Russia to Alaska was nothing short of extraordinary. It wasn’t just a tale of endurance; it was a powerful reminder that resilience, purpose, and quiet determination can open unexpected doors. James’s presence on stage was magnetic. His story moved us, inspired us, and left us in awe. It was more than a story—it was a masterclass in courage and what it truly means to take a second chance and swim with it. "
Featured Articles
Insights, stories, and inspiration from the journey
Awards and Recognition
Throughout his career, James has received numerous prestigious awards including induction into both the International and Australian Marathon Swimming Halls of Fame, a Guinness World Record, and various national honors.
The Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming
In 2006, James became the first Australian to complete the Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming - the English Channel, Manhattan Island Marathon, and Catalina Channel.
What the Water Taught Me About Resilience
There is a moment in every long open water swim when the shore has disappeared. You can't see it behind you, and you can't see what lies ahead. For most swimmers, that moment is unsettling. For me, it's just Tuesday. What I've learned — through the English Channel, through Antarctica — is that resilience isn't what most people think it is.
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