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AUSAustraliaSport:SwimmingCyril Baldock is an Australian swimmer and longstanding member of Bondi Surf Bathers' Life Saving Club. Surf Life Saving NSW dates his membership to 1958 and his life membership to 1977. He earned his Bronze Medallion in 1959 and served the club in roles including captain, vice-president and president, alongside organising carnivals and managing touring teams. Swimming competition and volunteer lifesaving have both been central to his career.
His first successful English Channel solo came in 1985. The Channel Swimming Association records a France-to-England crossing in 10 hours 44 minutes and its oldest-successful-swimmer award for that season. He returned in 2014, this time swimming from Shakespeare Beach towards Cap Gris Nez. His 12-hour-45-minute crossing on 20 August set an age record at 70 years and nine months, as reported in the CS&PF's season review. Otto Thaning surpassed the mark that September.
Baldock received the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2020 for service to surf lifesaving. In its June 2023 podcast profile, Bondi described him as a life member and club patron, with a patrol named in his honour. That club account also highlights his rescue work, coaching, charity fundraising and success in masters and world lifesaving competition.
Channel solos in 1985 and 2014 · Bondi lifesaver · OAM
Crossing details, recordings & verificationSolo swim
Sunday, 18 August 1985 (recorded swim date)
France → England
Elapsed time · 10h 44m
Start clock · Clock time not confirmed
Finish clock · Clock time not confirmed
Ratifying body's record checked · See the crossing record for qualifications and supporting evidence.
Solo swim
Wednesday, 20 August 2014 (start)
England → France
Escort boat unresolved: CS&PF's annual list names Seafarer II; its individual record names Gallivant. Both agree on 12:45:00.
Elapsed time · 12h 45m 0s
Start clock · Clock time not confirmed
Finish clock · Clock time not confirmed
Sources disagree · See the crossing record for qualifications and supporting evidence.
1958
Began his membership of Bondi Surf Bathers' Life Saving Club.
1959
Qualified for the lifesaving award, according to the club's 2023 profile.
1977
Received Bondi club life membership.
Sunday, 18 August 1985
Completed France to England in 10:44.
Wednesday, 20 August 2014
Completed the reverse direction in 12:45:00 at 70 years and nine months.
2020
Honoured for service to surf lifesaving.
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Selected swimming performances appear in the English Channel record above.
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