Neolani Day

The 14 year old is the first Tongan and youngest competitor to attempt to swim 22.3 km solo in the Apolima Strait Swim which begins on Friday.

The Apolima Strait Swim from Upolu to Savaii is the longest ocean swim in the Southern Hemisphere.

Day flew out of Nuku’alofa with her mother over the weekend.

She has dedicated her swim to all Tongan girls and youth, and hopes to inspire others to continue to chase their dreams.

Day’s participation has been supported by Digicel.

Photo supplied 

Fourteen year old, Noelani will be competing in the 22.3km Ocean Swim – the longest ocean swim in the Southern Hemisphere and is the youngest to have attempted to swim solo. 

Noelani started swimming with the Malolo Swim Club here in Tongatapu since she was eight years old and she instantly fell in love with swimming as a competitive sport. 

Noelani did her first ever Open Water swim when she was only eight years old and swam 1.8km.