Palfrey swims ashore in world’s longest ever sea swim
(CNS): Update Monday 7am – International open water swimmer Penny Palfrey has achieved her goal and completed the longest ever unassisted open water swim from Little Cayman to Grand Cayman in around 40 hours and 40 minutes. In an incredible feat of endurance Palfrey completed the more than 68 mile swim, which included a few marine encounters, on Sunday night at around 10.10pm. Although not believed to be suffering unduly, Palfrey was taken to hospital for observation. The British-Australian mother of three began her swim in Little Cayman in the early hours of Saturday morning and arrived in Grand Cayman’s East End the following night hoping to break the world record for an open water swim. (Photo from helicopter)
Palfrey was followed by a support 
team in Kayaks and boards to pull a shark shield –which only gives limited protection — as well as giving her food and water and to be ready for emergencies. They were also tweeting and giving live updates on the conditions and commentary on Palfrey’s marathon ocean journey.
On completing what is expected to be registered as an official world record, Palfrey was greeted by a cheering crown at the Morritts Tortuga, which included the country's premier among other dignitaries, as well her friends and fans.
Category: Sports
No sharks were killed on this swim.
Jeff Kozlovich was on the boat standing next to Norma Connolly (the Photo Journalist who started the shark death rumors) when the shark was hooked.
http://kozhawaii.blogspot.com/2011/06/penny-palfreys-core-team-member-speaks.html
Steve Munatones was on the boat as well:
http://www.dailynewsofopenwaterswimming.com/2011/06/penny-smiles-but-others-do-not.html
These are the findings of the interview with Ebanks (the alleged shark killer) and the locals who were on the boat crew as well as the Department of Tourism findings on this matter:
http://www.facebook.com/notes/bridging-the-cayman-islands/statement-from-the-organizers-of-penny-palfreys-bridging-the-cayman-islands-swim/238834866128494
Sharks were hooked and dragged away, not good for the sharks… but far better than dying. Read the part of jeffs article where it talks about what Penny and her Support Crew had decided to do about sharks. Ebanks was part of the Boat Crew… there is a difference in the boat crew and Penny's support Crew, the biggest distinction I can find is that Penny hand picked her Support Crew and the Boat Crew came with the boat. If I find that I am wrong about the latter I will post a retraction.
When all this is put together the gist of it is more "sharks were hooked baited and dragged off by a fisherman whose only reply when he came back was I got rid of them and that was taken the wrong way by the reporter" rather than "3 sharks were chopped up and bleeding in the water around a swimmer thus putting her in more danger"
No one is saying that no sharks were HARMED (hooks hurt), just that they were not killed.
False report on shark killing. I was on the crew in a kayak for the entire trip. The reports that any sharks were injured or killed are false. There were numerous journalists on both power boats (65' each) blogging, tweeting and reporting on their SAT phone the entire time. Several had telephoto lenses on their cameras and posted many photos and videos of the event. Not one photo has appeared showing a shark being killed or injured. At the very least, you are doing a disservice to your readers by continuing to carry this false report.
CNS: There has still been no official statement from the organisers or from Penny Palfrey herself, who could have denied the reports of shark killing as soon as they became public. As far as I know the fisherman in question has also not denied this. We would be happy to run that as a story at any time if anyone wants to clarify. Please note that the people commenting on CNS about the shark killings read about it elsewhere, written by a journalist who was present.
Penny was in the water swimming when this report came out. Then she was in the hospital being treated for the salt burns to her face and mouth, then she was home recovering. There is now an official statement from the sponsor of the event. That can be viewed here:
These are the findings of the interview with Ebanks (the alleged shark killer) and the locals who were on the boat crew as well as the Department of Tourism findings on this matter:
http://www.facebook.com/notes/bridging-the-cayman-islands/statement-from-the-organizers-of-penny-palfreys-bridging-the-cayman-islands-swim/238834866128494
To the person who said "I will only remember Mrs. Palfrey's name in association with the killing of sharks"….Most Likely very few people other than your immediate family will remember you but the history books will remember Penny
not really sure what the appeal of being remembered when your dead is. Always seemed kind of, ummm, pointless.
Agreed! About as pointless as this swim!
Cruelty? Check out Factory Farming? Use any Kind of Shampoo much? All those poor little bunnies who died in the name or shiny hair.
your point?
I am disgusted by the cruelty attached to this project. We must not let this type of thing happen again. There is nothing to be proud of.
for the person who said "you forgot to mention that it's always best to carry a side arm at the zoo" I am sorry but you are an idiot. How is poor pacified animal behind bars zoo any threat? Please, go for a walk in remote British Columbia along a river during salmon run. The flowers are really pretty that time of year.
please don't call me an idiot if you don't understand what I am saying. Thank you.
Idiot.
rockhead pooppy face
Idiot.
Lots of dogs on land and lots of people on land. Lots of sharks in the sea and only one person to date going for a 68 mile sea swim. I am sure was more dangerous than walking by a few dogs on the way to the grocery store.
I read somewhere that more people eat sharks than sharks eat people.
Enter the food chain and that's what you get.
I will only remember Mrs. Palfrey's name in association with the killing of sharks, not her world record numbers. In fact I don't know what the world record is or her times, miles etc. Shark-infested waters are more interesting and contraversial than a world record. Will tourists, divers etc. now think that Cayman has shark-infested waters. I think the killing of the sharks has taken away any shine this had. It would be interesting to know if any other long distance swimmers had to kill marine life. And, if another long distance swimmer or swimmers come to Cayman to beat this record will more sharks have to be killed.
"NA Today Bo Bo"
A German woman was killed in a shark attack by and Oceanic White Tip while snorkelling off the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh last December 5th 2008. They are very dangerous.
So 3 years ago one person in the entire worldgot killed by one…. if someone choked on a grape in 2009 would that make grapes dangerous?
Statistically there are less than ten deaths from unprovoked shark attacks in the entire world in a year. Think about the millions of sharks and millions of people in the sea. The chances are miniscule.
Are there any other animals which you would characterize as "very dangerous" at this level of statistic, or is it just sharks? In the USA, 29 people are killed by dogs for every one person killed by sharks. By your logic, dogs must be “very very dangerous” animals. For every person killed by a shark, about 20 million sharks are killed by people. I guess that makes people “very very very dangerous”. More people die in Cayman waters from in-water heart attacks, over-exertion and boating accidents each year than sharks eat in the rest of the world – that would make us our own worst enemy.
Your statement says it all, we won't sit down and let sharks kill us, here in Cayman, we kill them first
Erm… I don't think my statement actually says anything like that… I think I gave you some statatistics which you ignored.
bobo… I doubt wether anyone has EVER been killed by a shark while sitting down.
so this justifies killing 3 sharks for the sake of an extended sea swim?????
ummm I think they do.
Yes, they can't be trusted, the same thing happens whenever a great white starts attacking beach goers, on the eastern sea front of the USA, they go hunting for that monster, and kill it.
all the time, right boyo?
Amen brother….well said. Without Charles it would not have happened. If people want to really do their part in saving the planet…stop having kids…the population is set to double within the next 40 years. That will be death of everything.
oh, and also stop stabbing sharks
yaaaaay Charles. without him this would not have happened. like that?
The compass printed that sharks were actually killed. Could someone please confirm if this is true? If so, here's a little input: For those of you who haven't watched the documentary, Shark Water, I highly recommend it. I'm a supporter of protecting the shark species. That being said, I think Charles is a fantastic seaman and if he thought that she was in danger, then I don't doubt his decision. Oceanic are one of the more dangerous species of sharks and it only takes a split second for something to go array and for her life to be lost. I think in that circumstance, your innate instinct is to protect and that's what Charles did.
Congrats on your great achievement!! We are all so very proud of you and commend you for such dedication.
Any killing of the sharks is outrageous and disgusting….that was her choice to swim and her choice to risk it…..she and everyone involved should not be given the priviledge of being in or around the sea again…..blood is on your hands.
You can make the statement and I would have said the same too generally, given the depleting number of sharks worldwide. But, you have to think about it on a case-by-case basis. Imagine if a shark attacked her and she died. Picture this scenario: Her team saw this shark swimming around, being aggressive, following her; and didn't intervene because she assumed the risk of swimming in open water. People would be outraged that noone was willing to save her life. You would be writing here going "why didn't someone try to get her out of harm's way, why didn't someone kill the shark before it tore off her limbs and pulled her body down to a level that noone could reach her." "why didn't they take the necessary steps to prevent this" I do not support intentional killing of sharks nor do I support shark finning. This however wasn't intentional. They didn't go out there with the planning of killing sharks for sport. They protected her.
This shouldn't overshadow her accomplishment. Let's be happy for her.
NO, i would write , hmmmmm i wonder what she was doing swimming out there? Like when some poor kid here goes up in flames in their Honda wrapped around a coconut tree. I think hmmmm I wonder why he was driving 80 MPH?
For all you clowns giving Charles a hard time, he was hired to do a job, Which he did very well. If you are upset that he slaughtered a few sharks, I'd blame the organizer of this event (Flowers Group).
I have experience with Oceanic White Tips, They are a very agressive open ocean dwelling shark. They don't often find a meal in the open oceans, so when they do they take full advantage and will bite just about anything to see if it is edible or not. I have seen them bite the lower unit of an outboard motor doing just that.
Dragging the sharks away from Penny and releasing them wouldn't have accomplished anything. I have hooked and released them before, and a sore lip is not enough to deter them from returning.
Either she accomplished her AMAZING achievement or she was eaten by sharks. I think the death of a few so called "endangered" (they are around this island by the 100's of thousands) sharks doesn't come close to tarnishing her achievement.
.02 cents from someone who probably spends a lot more time on the water than all of you missinformed sharkhuggers put together.
It doesn't say anywhere he chumed the water with fish. He threw in A PIECE of fish ON A HOOK to catch the shark and drag it away from her. Everyones and expert but no one really is. Good thing you weren't out there for her safety. She wouldn't be here now.
every one is an expert but you. You are a fortune teller.
Congratulations to Penny and all of those who worked so hard to make swimming of the 68 mile "Cayman Bridge" a success.
We will never know nor appreciate how much came together and how so many people worked together, including many Eastenders with local knowledge, in one unified effort to achieve this world class extreem sport event.
It was wonderful to see the locals, expatriates, officials and common people working together for a positive common cause.
The Cayman Islands will forever be in the long distance swimming record books.
The furor over the killing of the sharks must not be taken out of context.
Sharks are predators plain and simple.
It is a reality arround the world that sharks considereda threat to humans are killed. This occurs at thousands of public swimming beaches and other locations.
Here in Grand Cayman one of our primary "in the sea" tourism activities is at the Sand Bar swimming with stingrays. A gathering of stingrays attracts the attention of sharks who love to feed on stingrays.
Unknown to many, but, over the years many sharks visiting the Sand Bar have been caught and killed, why? To protect the lives of tourists swimming on the Sand Bar and to protect the Cayman Islands tourism economy.
Much less frequently but sharks visiting the West Bay Beach areas have also been caught and killed.
Yes, Penny was in the sharks' environment, but then so are the Sand Bar tourists and swimmers along the West Bay Beach in the sharks' environment.
Who would say that we should not catch and kill sharks visiting the Sand Bar and the West Bay Beach areas?
Now, as someone who loves and respects nature, killing sharks is not something to rejoice about but we have to be realistic when humans and wild predators interact on land or in the sea.
We must take all necessary precautions but when it becomes necessary then the predator will loose, be it a lion roaming the streets of a town or killing domestic animals, an elephant destroying a village because its natural habitat was destroyed for development or a shark stalking a lone long distance swimmer or a group of tourists at a beach resort.
Congratulations again to Penny and all who made this world class record setting event a resounding success.
it's a reality that humans are killed at thousands of public swimming beaches and other locations????????? and what is your idea of reality?????
This is the worst post I have ever read on CNS.
Do you know how many people sharks kill a year in the entire world? Less than 10.
They are not a real threat. They are not a danger. You have been drawn in by the mythos and you are ignorant. Do some research, get your facts straight.
How about you go do some research.
Jump in the ocean with an Oceanic Whitetip and see if you make it back to land to blog about it.
They are very dangerous, just ask any fisherman on this planet.
Ha! I have been in the ocean with many white tips thanks, still in one piece too!
and this swimmer was in the waters ALL NIGHT with white tips, and she is still in one piece!
another point pending is to NOT jump in the water with the shark… get it?
It is a reality arround the world that sharks considered a threat to humans are killed. This occurs at thousands of public swimming beaches and other locations.
Only reality I am aware of is of thousands of sharks/whales/dolphins being needlessly and inhumanely killed at various locations all over the world.
As to human deaths due to shark attacks this isn't a recent article, but good enough for now: http://news.discovery.com/animals/shark-attacks-resulting-human-deaths-on-the-rise.html
So, according to you all, it's fine for us to enter another species habitat to stroke our ego by setting a world record while at the same time killing any natural inhabitant of that habitat that happens to threaten our world record attempt.
Outrageous. If you wanted to swim for 48 hours, swim in the pool where you wouldn't have to kill anything to achieve your goal and stroke your ego.
Great idea, Captain Ebanks. Sharks in the water, with Penny, so what do you do? Chum the water with fish, and then chop up the sharks, adding blood to the water. Do you even realize the added danger your actions put Ms. Palfrey in? Unbelievable.
seems it was a bigger danger to the sharks today bobo
It's easier to change a wetsuit in the water. It slides right on when there is lots of water in it between your skin and the inside of the suit. Out of water, especially when your all hot and sweaty it's tough to put on a wesuit. It sticks allover you and gets all bound up. You can overheat in the hot sun before you get all your stuff on for a dive. You can eat in the water and underwater too. I used to take "gogurts" (Yogurt) on long decompression dives. They were sealed in a little plastic tube for kids lunchboxes. Sort of like what astronauts used. Last decompression stop may be an hour. After several hours in the water, maybe getting a bit cold its good to eat. Just tear the edge of the plastic yogurt tube..take your regulator out, stick the yogurt tube in your mouth and squeeze that tube…my girlfriend taught me that. She is an expert diver 🙂
that is not actually a wet suit she's wearing. wetsuits aren't allowed for these records.
Thanks for the info. 🙂
The fact is a swimmer out in the open ocean (and just about anything else moving and sometimes not) will attract the attention of sharks. The Crew was there to protect Penny from the sharks and anything else. They are fisherman. Everyone knew well and good that sharks could and most likley would be a potential threat and may have to be disposed of before the swim started. The Swimmer knew that. You can't say we'll just see how it goes…you have to be protected and that is why the crew was there or she would most likely be fish bait. If you decided you want to trek across the Canadian Rockies you better carry a sidearm for Grizzly Bears or one may very well kill you. You may want to hire a guide to ensure your safe passage so nothing does kill you. Certainly the swimmer, typically being a land animal is much more add odds in the water and needs people looking out for her. She decided to Swim and knew the risks. If I was going to do that swim (and I wouldn't) and wanted to be sure I was protected from sharks best I could..and researched ahead of time with people in the Cayman Islands who KNEW.. then it is no mysterythe crew that ended up taking care of her was most likely the only crew who could do it. Same as if you hired Grizzly Adams so a Grizzly didn't eat you. They are fisherman, some of the best and there job was to make sure she didn't get eaten. These guys don't kill sharks forfun but they know how too. which was good for Penny and just because you let a shark go doesn't mean it will go away. It is the person who decided at all odds they were going to do this no matter what who carries the load. It is the same attitude that not only weighs the decisions for themselves but drives them through to the end of their commitment . Right or wrong everything that could have happened during the swim must have passed through the swimmers mind and she made the decision. If she would have been seriously injured or killed we might be saying poor girl, maybe something should have been done to protect her better. Of course they're would have been people who said shouldn't be swimming out in the open sea if you don't want to be attacked by a shark. Simply put if anyone could help get her hear safely is was them. It is only natural they were asked for help.
you forgot to mention that it's always best to carry a side arm at the zoo.
… not really sure "Grizzly Adams" is a great example to support your case. If, during the first show, Grizzly Adams had lured Ben the Bear onto a hook with a tuna steak and then chopped his ass with a machete, I doubt that the show would have maintained its enduring family appeal.
"living free and harmony and majesty" etc…
you're missing the point. Several points actually.
I wonder if people realize that cows, chickens, pigs, turkeys and the list goes on are killed every day so that the master of the universe "mankind" can survive.
If you all are going to protect every living thing on the planet then how will mankind survive? Do we even know if plants feel pain? thus becoming a vegetarian is also in question. Circle life people circle of life.
Just curious….why is she in 2 different (wet) suits…the picture of her entering the water has a tank top…and the one of her coming out of the water has long sleeves? How did she change during the swim?
Curious minds want to know….and how the heck did she eat ice cream while swimming? Any clues??
Also – wish it was covered on a live site that we could have watched.
Congrats….not sure how you had the stamina for that swim, but incredible to say the least!
I got the inside story…. the whole thing was faked. she actually was on the moon where as everybody knows, there is no gravity! she wore 2 or 3 specially designed space suits, made to look like wetsuits. there were 2 or 3 curious moon creatures, but they were caught and sent away to a 'farm'!! This is the biggest coverup since the CI govt swept the deaths of those 372 people at a poker party in a dolphin point apt during Hurricane Ivan!
The comment above was not a "dis" against Penny…so not sure why the thumbs down remarks. I am just curious….
Did she change suits while undertaking the swim? I know absolutely nothing re: ocean water swims or what it takes to do such an endeavor.
Also…how was it possible to eat and swim? A tube? I just can't imagine. Can someone who has knowledge fill me in!
you miss the basic point…go back to sleep!
It is obvious that there were admissions of sharks being harmed for this piece of vanity until it was realised that it was a PR disaster at which point the backtracking was inevitable.
Here is a cut out from The News Of Open Water Swimming. Hopefully, this will shed some light on the shark debate.
http://www.dailynewsofopenwaterswimming.com/2011/06/penny-palfrey-photograph-at-4-miles-to.html
"The four separate sharks encounters were nearly shark attacks if not for the heroic actions by Charles EBanks. The first one Charles took care of less than 100 meters from Penny in the dark – the others were dramatically closer. "You can't let the white tip sharks stay around you – or they will continue to bother you."
The second shark encounter was closer when a 7-8 foot white tip shark nearly took a chunk out of Richard's kayak. Crew on the mother ship yelled at Richard to get his attention as the shark came up behind and under Richard. Not wasting a moment, Richard steered away from Penny and started to whack at the shark. As Richard splashed, the shark veered away from Penny. Then Charles who has chased down a criminal on land only a few days ago, sprang into action with his Zodiac.
He came out with a machete and quickly sliced up a fish and tossed it in the water 10 meters behind Penny. As the shark was being diverted, Charles set a hook and dropped in the water. As the shark started to thrash around, Charles grab the line with his bare hands and tried to move the shark away from Penny. All support crew were at the ready, but Charles dragged the shark a safe distance from Penny.
Meanwhile, Penny stroked on with her shoulders in pain. "I never felt this pain before. Just be patient," she told her crew. "We'll get there."
Then a third and larger shark came up right under Penny's protective flotilla. But Charles was right there and leaped into action while the rest of the crew were in awe. He drove his Zodaic between the shark and Penny while chasing it away from Penny who was swimming away. He hooked it again and wrestled with it for at least a minute, giving Penny a bit of wide berth.
"Not today, Bobo," smiled Charles to the sharks as he enabled Penny to simply swim and move forward towards Grand Cayman Island."
If anyonewas listening to Radio Cayman last night when she was still a few miles off of Grand Cayman one of her support team(A Caymanian) on the boat made a statement that NO sharks were killed but instead they used the shark shield and lured the sharks away from her. No-one that wasn't there knows what happened so before we make judgements lets give those that were there the chance to clarify these rumors.
Excerpt from Cayman Compass updated news article:
'Twice, as her support team on the Carib Princess tender boat watched, the sharks came within a few feet of Mrs. Palfrey. Local fisherman Charles Ebanks, who was among the support crew on a small inflatable power boat, used dead fish to draw the sharks away from Mrs. Palfrey, then snagged the sharks using a hook and line attached to rubber matting.
Using a machete, he killed the Oceanic white tips in the water. Mr. Ebanks told the crew the sharks were aggressive and would have continued to threaten Mrs. Palfrey.
He said he had also dealt similarly with another shark early Sunday that had been in the waters near her.'
For me, the lack of comment from the team organising this swim regarding this alleged slaughter speaks volumes and whilst I acknowledge that her support team were not simply going to stand by and watch her 'possibly' get attacked I personally feel that the method of dispatching with these critically endangered (in our area) creatures was barbaric and inhumane. Some 'fisherman' Charles Ebanks is.
the only good shark is a DEAD one
ass
read mondays/tuesdays compass
The only place where shark catching and a machete was reported was the compass and that article was not clear as to whether a shark or sharks were killed. To me the article almost seemed like they quote someone from a phone call…it was poorly written and is misleading. Hopefully no sharks were killed. We need a statement from the compass and Penny's team.
you will get a nice statement.
When it comes I won't believe it over the contemporaneous reports that were made prior to the reaction to them.
Mrs. Palfrey, thank you for being such a committed person and bridging the Cayman Islands.
So many people are disagreeing with the negative parts of the comments regarding the killing of the sharks. Sharks are a very important part of the oceans and seas and without them they are doomed. But it just goes to show how much disregard you people have for all the creatures on this island, you can’t even look after you dogs and cats. So come on you thumbs down losers start clicking!
Da num, Da num, da num da num da num… SHARK ATTACK!
An official statement is required as to whether or not sharks were killed. It is my understanding that those encountered were merely lured away from her, and I honestly cannot see sensible people actually killing sharks unroute as undoubtedly the kill would only attract others, however, the rumour mill has it otherwise and it needs to be clarified as unfortunately this rumour is diminishing the joy and importance of this major achievement, both for the swimmer and these Islands.
the official statement will no doubt be quite sunny and pleasant!
Are sharks eaten in Cayman? If so sure you have to kill them first!!!!!!!!
Ooooh!! Those poor dolphin and marlin, only a d——m fish!!!
Why not complaint about the turtles been slaughtered in west bay.
Anyone say shark meat.
Can’t believe such a great achievement and you are all concern over a stupid shark.
Only prove some of us a bent and stopping progress.
At this point we are more worried about stupid humans. For starters, a dolphin is not a fish…..
actually… there is one that is a fish.
Actually yes it is, it is referred to a Mahi Mahi. We call it that so that idiotic people like you don't think they are eating flipper.
Dolphin (Fish) = Mahi Mahi
Dolphin (porpoise) = flipper
no way man i really feel ashamed to say im a caymanian right now with all these ignorant posts!
who ever said they were killing sharks?
they were using an electronnic deterrant!
this just proves that we are willing to listen to others more than get the facts ourselves and make our selves look like idiots in the first place!
so simple just read articles leading up to this and get the story!
thats why we called small minded islanders!
dream on bubble boy
The only serious issue facing us is the future state of our economy.
Who do you think is going to pay for you in the future? Dont count on your kids as they wont have any money.
It would be nice to hear an official statement re: whether or not sharks were killed.
I think position is that there were reports that sharks were being killed until there was a negative reaction to sharks being killed whereupon the word "killed" seemed to morph into "shooedaway".
I have worked in PR. My soul will recover in time.
sorry loopy, but if you've worked in pr your soul iu toast
I moved into advertising and specialize in going after the "save the souls of the doomed" dollar. Apparently they have quite remarkable levels of disposable income.
well, in that case I salute you and will see you in heaven
The Cayman Compass article made it quite clear that "not today bobo" chopped the sharks that got near her.
There seems to be a lot of back tracking going on now though saying that the sharks were led away and released. Unless chopping is the term used for releasing them I suspect there is a bit of a coverup going on.
The compass article is misleading. It does not say sharks were killed. It was very poorly written.
a compass article poorly written???…never!!!!!
There seems to be a lot of conjecture here about possible shark killing. CNS, can you seek clarification?
(PS…our "Not today BoBo" pal. He seems to be the grand protector of everyone! Does he have a cape? Gosh, I'm sure if Obama didnt remove Osama, Mr Ebanks would have been in Pakistan and saying to Osama…."Not today BoBo!" 🙂 )
For petes sake some of una people try keep quiet and dont let people see how dogone fool we are wid de stupid spelling and fool fool post, try keep una mout close.
foo foo, erebody know unna spelled wid 2 n
actually, "erebody" is spelt "erraybodi"
actually, actually is spelt 'achly'
I think I little bit of revisionism be goin' on.
while we question history, it is being re-written
Excellent feat. Too bad that our Monday to Friday high prices Television Station has not seen it fit to cover the event and relay it live to the major tv news networks around the world.I was expecting to see the event on 27 at least in the final stages!!!!!!!!!
When are we going to get around the clock local TV news including long weekends for the high prices charged for cable tv here?
I believe you have misjudged the world wide interest in someone swimming in the ocean.
Live to major TV news networks?
Please!
Fool!!!
Did you not see David Blaine getting international coverage for his endurance feat in Time Square NY?
The "world interest" has not been misjudge here, the potential to have brought more positive attention to the Cayman Islands, by Ms. Palfrey's superhuman feat is what has been Misjudged. The TV Station could have covered it (I mean all of it). I am sure many would agree, there are a lot less interesting content on tv everyday.
Furthermore, your attempt to deduce Ms. Palfrey's great feat as "someone swimming in the ocean" really is representive to the worse of us all.
"You should have been there to see her walk onto the beach"
the fool is anyone that watched that mindless stunt!
David Blaine. Not live.
This is the same senseless statement made after the Kittiwake was sunk: "it should have been broadcast live around the world".
As a live television event, the Kittiwake and this sea swim would not have worked. As an event which is taped and the footage provided around the world, that is how it should be handled and that is,in all likelihood, how it was handled.
And I'm curious. How would the TV station have gotten a live signal from the ocean in the middle of the Cayman Islands to the world? No slam against them, but I don't think that's doable.
Fool your own damn self.
Satellite and streaming could be a starter. Did they not put a man on the moon?
So whose job is it in government to see to this?
Good for her but the achievement is FAR outweighed by the unnecessary killing of sharks in their own environment. An absoloute disgrace that this should happen – she and her entire team should be ashamed of themselves. The government should not have allowed this event to happen if they knew that the plan was to slaughter any shark that came close to the group. Disgraceful.
Sorry, what are you talking about?
if sharks were killed…i'm sure penny would be as appalled as you are….maybe she didn't realise the impact of having caymanian fishermen('marine conservationists') escorting her and their reputation for killing anything and everything….
Hey why arent the EastEnders protesting this? She came ashore in their district…..environmental impact?
Oh the double standards….
You are trivialising very serious matters with this ridiculous post.
Flabbergasted by the fickleness.
Had it been one of us "backwards" and "primitive" Caymanians attempting such a feat and attacking or killing natural wildife along the way, CNS would have been in an uproar like nobody's business (remember the dead horse incident?).
Interesting to see that this lady has received quite a pass – PETA and GREENPEACE would have likely been notified if it was one of us out there.
In any event I feel the element of her "protective measures" cheapens and detracts from the achievement. Is she not doing a "sea swim"? Hello – there are dangerous things in the ocean.
She would have impressed me more had she kept it "really real", as the kids say, and went at it "as is".
Not to wish harm upon her and obviously I am being somewhat facetious in my comments but I think the point has been made.
Great effort all around and congratulations to her, she has achieved something that I never could – or would ever care to for that matter.
(There is an inexplicable nature within some people that instills tremendous respect and avoidance of natural forces – some of us appear to be devoid of this inkling. E.g. Lion trainers, tiger handlers, "crocodile hunters". The operative phrase for all such people is "One day my friend, one day".)
a little caymanian jealousy perhaps???…i'm sure we will find out in time who killed the sharks and it had nothing to do with penny….
PETA Killed 95 Percent of Adoptable Pets in its Care During 2008. Hypocritical Animal Rights Group’s 2008 Disclosures Bring Pet Death Toll To 21,339 Source: http://www.consumerfreedom.com/pressRelease_detail.cfm/r/258-peta-killed-95-percent-of-adoptable-pets-in-its-care-during-2008
for her arrival, Radio Cayman played the national anthem twice and then went off the air!
God Save The Queen is the National Anthem.
well, it was a lovely tune whatever it was mister
An awesome achievement, but the unnecessary killing of threatened Oceanic Whitetips is just awful…. Should have used a shark cage.
I was told by someone on the boat that They actually caught the sharks and pulled them away from her about 2-3 miles and cut them free.
Congrats to her certainly in order! Incredible feat and inspirational to the many, many kids that saw her arrive at East End.
I was told that when a tooth came out, that a little fairy came and gave me 25 cents. Um that was before I learned to be afraid of fairies.
Can they at least save these shark carcases so we can have a shark meat bar-b-q to celebrate her achievement. No need to have them needlessly sacrificed!
yep maybe put them on display for tourists down at the harbour…..zzzzzzzzzz
good for cayman… for the sea…..not so much
Very dissapointed with the butchering of sharks on this ladies journey. So it's ok that these innocent animals have to die so one woman can stroke her own ego. It's like running through the jungle in India in record time but you have to kill two Bengal tigers along the way. People make me sick. I'm on team shark personally
I agree. This could only happen in Cayman where people get away with this kind of crap. She could have proven her swimming skill without killing the shark.
Well, I have been very supportive and excited about following this event, until I just read on the compass site that they are KILLING any shark that comes near her?
http://www.compasscayman.com/caycompass/2011/06/10/Palfrey-s-wild-encounters/#comment
So far, it sounds like three sharks have been slaughtered with machetes in the name of human achievement. What is the matter with you people? Seriously. Cayman Islands, you have rendered me absolutely speechless.
I agree. I was redying a pointed letter to the Compass until I just (8pm) heard the Radio Cayman report 'clarifying that no sharks have been killed'. Perhaps we should hold our righteous ingination until we get a confirmation/clarification from the Compass or some other news service.
you'll never know
Believe it already has been reported that three sharks were killed. Not worth it for just a swim.
Clarification or coverup? Sometimes these words are interchangeable.
*indignation. Poor spelling makes your argument weak and you look unintelligent.
Not attempting to confirm, nor dismiss any rumours of sharks being killed.
However, would it not be counter productive to hack a shark with a machette, as it would make the water bloody, and possibly attract more sharks?
Just asking.
counterproductive perhaps, but perhaps too hard to resist
Well, the compass has reported it again today so I guess that confirms it. So much for hopeing for positive actions rather than stupidity.
(And thanks for correcting my spelling esarlier.)
You Go girl no shark can’t hurt you out there on that ocean because they all here walking round on land!
Incredable! Penny
If I could I would get the keys to the city when you walk up on the beach in East End. I know you are going to make it.
how about status?
wow….and I'm concerned about the 1 mile I'm going to do on the Flower sea Swim!!!
Go Penny go!!!!!
GooooooooooooooooooooooooooPennyGooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!
Absolutely incredible when you think that we all would never even consider walking that distance let alone swimming this distance. A great accomplishment. She is to be congratulated.
I wish you all the best Penny! I admire your strength and determination. Your endurance will prove to many out there who struggle with believing in self how powerful you can be when you believe! I am excited and can't wait to hear the results tomorrow.
One can only wish her success if this very gutsy attempt. 60+ miles swimming is an incredible feat to even attempt.
Absolutley amazing. Very Brave.
I admire her strength and courage to accomplish the things she wants. Congratulations!
Sorry for my ignorance. Just found a previous article on her swim. No rest during this swim…OMG!! Amazing!!
Best wishes for success!
I can not imagine swimming for 6 minutes let alone 60 plus miles. Gotta give it to her!! Good luck and hope you meet your goal!!
Does she stop and sleep somewhere or go right thru?? That's 2 full days of swimming, correct? Amazing!
Go Penny go!!
God be with her and best of luck.
I had the chance to meet her on her flights to the Brac and Little Cayman. Such a very pleasant lady and very humble. I wish her all the best on her trip!
I too had the pleasure of meeting her on the Brac, a great lady and a true inspiration, GO Penny!
Did y'all meet each other?