The MSA Board combines lived experience, national perspective and a shared commitment to protecting the past, supporting the present and shaping the future of marathon swimming in Australia
Christian Renford is an Australian open water swimmer from Sydney, continuing the renowned Renford marathon swimming legacy as the grandson of Des Renford and nephew of Michael (Murph) Renford. He is the third generation in his family to have swum the English Channel and Derwent River Big Swim. Renford has completed numerous iconic swims, including the 33 km English Channel in 12 hours 7 minutes (2024), the 34 km Derwent River Big Swim in 8 hours 13 minutes (2025), and the Palm Beach to Shelly Beach marathon swim.
In sports administration, Christian serves as President of Marathon Swimming Australia (formerly Australian Long Distance Swimming Federation), beginning in 2025, and is the CEO of Athletics NSW.
Alan Boydell (NSW)
Alan Boydell is an Australian open water swimmer and sports administrator recognised for both his marathon swimming achievements and his contributions to the sport’s governance. Boydell has completed the English Channel and multiple marathon swims, including a 15:25 marathon swim time in 2024.
Beyond swimming, he co-developed the Australian Long Swim Database, a volunteer-run project that records and celebrates Australian marathon swimming achievements.
Michael Teys is an Australian marathon swimmer known for completing the World Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming and two Oceans Seven marathon swims. He successfully swam the English Channel in 2014, the Catalina Channel in 2017, and in 2018, at age 56, he finished third in the 45.9 km 20 Bridges Manhattan Swim. Teys has completed the Rottnest Channel twice and other challenging open water events such as the Manly to Bondi Beach swim.
In 2022 Michael convened a dinner of Australian Marathon swimmers and supporters to pay tribute to the first 10 Australian English Channel swimmers seven of who were present.
Dean Summers is an Australian marathon swimmer, renowned for endurance and record-setting swims. He is the first to successfully complete the "60 Miler," a 95.6 km swim from Newcastle to Sydney, breaking the Australian long-distance swim record. Summers has achieved the Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming by conquering the English Channel, Catalina Channel, and Manhattan Island Marathon Swim. He has also completed six of the seven swims in the prestigious Oceans Seven series.
His journey began after decades at sea as a merchant seafarer and union official before taking up marathon swimming in 2013. Summers is a mentor to many swimmers and an advocate for Australian ocean swims.
Anna Strachan is a distinguished Australian marathon swimmer whose career spans some of the sport’s most demanding open water challenges. Anna has completed the Australian Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming and multiple solo long swims, including crossings of the English Channel, the Isle of Jersey, the Molokai Channel and the Derwent River Big Swim.
Her endurance achievements reflect deep commitment, resilience and strategic planning, while her advocacy for athlete welfare and recognition of extraordinary swims aligns closely with MSA’s mission. Anna brings to the Board both elite competitive insight and a passion for connecting the broader community to the sport of marathon swimming.
Katya Noble is a notable Australian marathon swimmer with significant achievements in open water swimming. She has completed the Australian Triple Crown — the Port to Pub, Palm Beach to Shelly Beach, and the Derwent River Big Swim. In 2022, she crossed the English Channel in 12 hours 42 minutes under challenging conditions shortly after contracting Covid-19.
Her accomplishments also include solo swims in the Rottnest Channel, Strait of Gibraltar, and key Sydney open water swims.
Ceinwen Roberts is one of Australia’s most respected marathon swimmers and a recognised leader within the open water swimming community. Based in Western Australia, Ceinwen has achieved the Australian Triple Crown of Marathon Swimming and was inducted into the Australian Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame in 2021 in recognition of her sustained excellence and contribution to the sport.
Her open water accomplishments include a 59.1 km three-way crossing of the Rottnest Channel, the fastest female swim of the Bristol Channel, and the distinction of completing the most Rottnest Channel solo swims by a female, including multiple double and triple crossings. She has also recorded significant performances across iconic international marathon swims, including the English Channel, Manhattan Island and Catalina Channel. Beyond her own swimming achievements, Ceinwen is a dedicated coach and event organiser, having founded and led major Australian open water events that prioritise participation, safety and community connection.