Jane does swim for best friend | Gold Coast News | Local News in Gold Coast

PALM Beach local Jane Tranberg traded her surfboard for wool fat and ginger tea on Saturday when she swam from Perth to Rottnest Island.

As part of the largest open water swim in the world – the Rottnest Channel Swim - Ms Tranberg made the 20km journey for more than just the exercise. She did it for her friend “Sammy”.

“Last year my best friend faced an enormous challenge when she was diagnosed with a brain tumour,” Ms Tranberg said.

“As part of my challenge of swimming from Perth to Rottnest Island, I wanted to raise money for the Cure for Life Foundation and for brain tumour research.”

Ms Tranberg said although her friend Sam Cooper had the tumour removed in April, and was now living a “healthy and loving life,” raising money for the foundation would contribute to more lives being saved and quality of life improved for other sufferers.

Completing the course in 7.51 hours, Ms Tranberg said what kept her going was the knowledge that her challenge was nothing compared to that of her friend.

“It was a lot tougher than I thought,” she said. “The sea was really choppy, and I went off course a little bit from the current.”

With 250 other solo swimmers, of which 55 did not finish, Ms Tranberg said it felt incredible to make it to the end.

“It was pretty cold,” she said. “My hands went numb after an hour.”

This was the first time Ms Tranberg took part in the race, which is now in its 20th year.

“Sam was so stoked and so proud of me for doing it,” she said.

“She was one of the first people I spoke to when I finished.

“She made me a really lovely cake with a pretend swimming pool before I left the Gold Coast for Perth last week.”

Ms Cooper said she didn’t believe her best friend when she revealed to her why she was swimming through the Indian Ocean.

“I cried when she told me,” Ms Cooper said. “I’m so proud of her.

“She was so supportive of me during treatment.

“It really shows you who your true friends are.”

During the gruelling swim, Ms Tranberg had a kayak support boat with her boyfriend in it cheering her on.

“We weren’t allowed to hold onto the boat, but he passed me things like protein shakes,” Ms Tranberg said.

“I also had ginger tea and coffee on the ready, as well as wool fat to rub on me for the cold.”

Ms Tranberg said she had been training by swimming from Palm Beach to Kirra.

“People gave me funny looks while I was practising in the gym pool with people passing me food!”

Ms Tranberg raised more than $1700 for the charity through the everdayhero website.

The Cure For Life Foundation is the largest active fundraiser for brain tumour research and awareness in Australia and is devoted to saving lives of people who are suffering from brain tumours, through advances in research and education in neurosurgery.

To donate money to the swim challenge, visit http://www.everydayhero.com.au/jane_tranberg.