<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A British-</span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/australia" rel="" target="_blank" title="Australian"><span>Australian</span></a><span> marathon swimmer is attempting to break a record in a 55-kilometre swim in </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/western-australia" rel="" target="_blank" title="WA's"><span>WA's</span></a><span> Ord River, which is populated by thousands of </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/crocodile" rel="" target="_blank" title="crocodiles"><span>crocodiles</span></a><span>.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Andy Donaldson, who already holds two world records in long-distance open water swims, is attempting the 'dam to dam challenge', swimming from the top of Lake Argyle to Kunnunurra.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He would be just the second person - and the first man - to do it, with Simone Blaser completing the swim in 16 hours and 13 minutes in 2024.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>LIVE UPDATES: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/donald-trump-shooting-iran-live-updates-us-politics-april-28-king-charles/b8458881-ea3b-4a8c-b1a8-23b686b4bdce"><strong><span>Billionaire's superyacht slips through flashpoint</span></strong></a><strong></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"This was never just about distance. It's about preparation, precision, and adapting to whatever the river throws at you," a post published this morning said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Donaldson began his swim at 5.30 am local time this morning, posting regular updates on his social media pages.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He can be seen swimming in the river with a support boat nearby and a kayaker paddling alongside him for safety reasons.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/andy-donaldson-record-swim-ord-river-western-australia-crocodiles/ee03cbd7-59b0-4927-abe0-a659309dead4" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>This could be useful, as the river is populated by thousands of crocodiles.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/donald-trump-ballroom-politicians-east-wing-whca-dinner-shooting-updates/9b908390-8d69-45c4-a4b8-1e8881be0053"><strong><span>Major boost to Donald Trump's grand ballroom ambitions</span></strong></a><strong></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>While the large majority of these are freshwater crocodiles, which are timid and generally harmless to humans, there has been an increase in the number of saltwater crocodiles in river in recent years.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A 2019 survey found there were around 2000 saltwater crocodiles in the river, and experts believe that number has grown.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Donaldson will not swim with a protective cage, but said the boat and kayaker alongside him were measures they said put in place.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We don't want to be reckless," he told AAP.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It would be his longest swim he has undertaken so far, with some of his world record attempts, including swimming between the south and north islands of New Zealand and circumnavigating Manhattan Island in New York City.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><strong><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></strong></em><span> </span><em><span>Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><p><em><strong><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727"><em><strong><span>Apple</span></strong></em></a><span> </span><em><strong><span>and</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1"><em><strong><span>Google Play</span></strong></em></a></p></li><li><p><em><strong><span>Make 9News your preferred source on Google by</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://9.nine.com.au/8x987w"><em><strong><span>ticking this box here</span></strong></em></a></p></li><li><p><em><strong><span>Sign up to</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://login.nine.com.au/edm?client_id=nineatnine"><em><strong><span>our breaking newsletter here</span></strong></em></a></p></li></ul></div></div>