Editor’s Note: This story is an updated version of what appeared in Sunday’s newspaper. The latest report came in after the paper had gone to print. LIHU‘E — The attempt at a seemingly impossible journey came to an unceremonious end
Editor’s Note: This story is an updated version of what appeared in Sunday’s newspaper. The latest report came in after the paper had gone to print.
LIHU‘E — The attempt at a seemingly impossible journey came to an unceremonious end Saturday night, as Penny Palfrey was forced to cut her Kaieiewaho Channel swim short more than halfway through after being stung by a jellyfish.
Palfrey, the 47-year-old grandmother from Australia, had to end her attempt at history after Jeff Kozlovich, her guide aboard a paddleboard, heard her scream out in pain.
Chronicling the trek on his blog and Twitter account, Kozlovich reported that within 10 minutes of the sting, Palfrey had a “violent reaction with cramping and nausea. At the point when she could only do 10 to 15 strokes without vomiting from pain it was decided that her swim had to come to an end.”
Kozlovich reported that she was brought on to the boat with welts on her arms, but that she is alright. The crew headed for Kaua‘i, where they were planning to spend the night before heading back to O‘ahu.
“We applaud her attempt and wish her well,” wrote Kozlovich, 50, an Ocean Safety Lifeguard and EMT from O‘ahu.
The 72-mile, nonstop, unaided swim would have the first ever completed attempt through the Kaieiewaho Channel.
