What’s Happening?
Alexandra Hills resident Chad Kirby is preparing for the Moreton Bay Open Water Swim Series. The personal endurance project will raise funds and awareness for youth mental health through ReachOut Australia.
ReachOut Australia has joined the project as its Official Wellbeing Partner, while Kirby is participating as a Laps for Life Ambassador. A custom-built floating shark enclosure is also being prepared for sea trials and will accompany him during the crossings.
In an exclusive Q&A with The Redland City Minute, Kirby discussed the project’s origins, his training and the enclosure. He also shared his fundraising plans and hopes for greater awareness of youth mental health, resilience and wellbeing.
Why It Matters?
What began as a personal endurance goal has become an opportunity to support a cause close to Kirby’s heart. He wants the series to raise funds while encouraging people to seek mental health support when needed.
“Mental health affects individuals, families and communities across Australia, and young people today face a wide range of pressures and challenges,” Kirby said. “ReachOut Australia’s mission of providing free mental health information, resources and support to young Australians strongly resonated with me, and I felt the partnership was a natural fit.
“Through the Moreton Bay Open Water Swim Series, I hope to raise both funds and awareness while encouraging conversations around mental health, wellbeing, resilience and the importance of seeking support when it’s needed.”
Kirby said ReachOut Australia’s involvement had strengthened the purpose behind the series.
“ReachOut Australia has joined the project as the Official Wellbeing Partner, and I am proud to be participating as a Laps for Life Ambassador while fundraising for youth mental health services and support,” he said.
Local Impact
Kirby’s ties to Moreton Bay began while growing up in Brisbane’s bayside area and attending school around Wynnum-Manly. That connection influenced his decision to create a series featuring different parts of the bay.
“I’ve always enjoyed endurance challenges and have a strong connection to Moreton Bay, having grown up in Brisbane’s bayside area and attending school in the Wynnum-Manly district,” Kirby said.
The project has also gained support from organisations involved in marine operations, transport, clothing, nutrition and construction materials. Bay Island Lifestyle is the Marine Support Partner, while SeaLink South East Queensland is the Official Transport Partner.
“The Moreton Bay Open Water Swim Series would not be possible without the support of a growing group of community-minded organisations that have chosen to get behind the project,” Kirby said.
“I’d like to acknowledge Bay Island Lifestyle as the Marine Support Partner, SeaLink South East Queensland as the Official Transport Partner, Phyre Apparel, Fence World and PURE Sports Nutrition for their valued support. Their involvement has helped transform the challenge from an idea into a genuine community project focused on endurance, mental wellbeing and positive community impact. It’s been incredibly encouraging to see local businesses and organisations support an initiative that aims to showcase Moreton Bay while raising awareness and funds for youth mental health.”
For the Redlands Coast community, the series brings together endurance sport, local involvement, youth mental health fundraising and a custom safety structure. It also promotes active lifestyles and positive conversations about resilience and wellbeing.
By The Numbers
- The first stage is an approximately 14km assisted solo swim from Dunwich to Raby Bay on 31 October 2026.
- The second crossing is planned between Tangalooma and Redcliffe during 2027.
- The third crossing will connect Tangalooma and Raby Bay in 2028, completing the planned three-year series.
Zoom In
Kirby is preparing through regular swimming, cycling and running, alongside weekly open-water sessions at Raby Bay. His training focuses on technique, endurance, overall fitness and adapting to changing conditions.
“I am a regular open water swimmer and meet with a group of swimming buddies at Raby Bay every weekend,” Kirby said. “Preparation has involved a combination of swimming, cycling and running throughout the year, alongside regular open-water training sessions in Moreton Bay.
“My weekly training typically includes pool swimming focused on technique and endurance, open-water swims at Raby Bay, cycling sessions and running to maintain overall fitness and endurance capacity.
“Mentally, preparation is about gradually becoming comfortable with longer distances, changing conditions and the challenges that come with spending several hours in open water. Each training session helps build confidence and reinforces the mindset required to tackle a swim of this scale.”
The shark enclosure is a custom-built floating structure intended to reduce shark risk during the crossings. It uses pipe and chain wire fence mesh while remaining open to the surrounding water.
“The shark enclosure is a custom-built floating structure designed to provide an additional layer of shark-risk mitigation during the swims,” Kirby said. “It surrounds the swimmer with a protective framework constructed from pipe and chain wire fence mesh materials while remaining open to the surrounding water.
“Importantly, it provides no propulsion or performance advantage and is intended solely as a safety measure.
“The enclosure has been developed with support from several project partners. Fence World assisted with materials for the build, while Bay Island Lifestyle has supported marine planning and operations associated with the challenge. The enclosure recently completed successful flotation testing and will continue to undergo further refinement and trials before the October crossing.”
Zoom Out
Kirby developed the series from a desire to test himself while creating something that could benefit the community. Instead of completing one swim, he chose a progressive format covering different areas of Moreton Bay.
“The Moreton Bay Open Water Swim Series developed from a desire to challenge myself while also creating something that could have a positive impact in the community,” Kirby said.
“Rather than a single swim, I wanted to build a progressive three-year challenge that would showcase different parts of Moreton Bay while promoting active lifestyles and raising awareness for mental health.
“The first crossing from Dunwich to Raby Bay is approximately 14 kilometres and provides an achievable starting point for the series. It connects North Stradbroke Island to the mainland and represents the first step towards the larger crossings planned in 2027 and 2028.”
Kirby has not set a fixed fundraising target, saying his aim is to raise as much as possible. Residents will be able to donate through ReachOut Australia’s official fundraising page.
“My aim is to raise as much as possible for ReachOut Australia while using the challenge to promote conversations around youth mental health, wellbeing and resilience,” Kirby said.
“There are several ways local residents can support the project. Donations will be able to be made through the official ReachOut Australia fundraising page once it becomes available.
“People can also support the project by following the journey, sharing fundraising information, helping promote mental health awareness and encouraging positive conversations about wellbeing within the community.
“The ReachOut Australia fundraising page is currently being finalised and I will forward the donation link as soon as it becomes available, hopefully this week.”
What To Look For Next?
Kirby’s physical and mental preparation will continue before the opening crossing on 31 October 2026. The shark enclosure will also undergo further refinement and sea trials following its successful flotation test.
The ReachOut Australia fundraising page is still being finalised. Once active, local residents can donate, share the fundraiser and support conversations about youth mental health.
A successful opening crossing would prepare Kirby for the planned Tangalooma to Redcliffe route in 2027. The final Tangalooma to Raby Bay crossing is planned for 2028.
To know more about and would like to help with Chad’s journey, Check it HEREĀ .
