Fight the Current

https://fightthecurrent.com.au

Scott Gladman – a farmer, a husband, a dad and a poppy is swimming 1,650km down the Darling River for mates and families fighting Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) and Motor Neuron Disease (MND) and Parkinson’s.

It’s a world-first, and it runs right through the regions.

“On 1 September 2026, I’m setting out to become the first person ever to swim the entire length of the Darling River – 1,650 km from Brewarrina to Wentworth, roughly 16 km a day for around 103 days.”

I’m doing it for my mates.

After watching good friends face Parkinson’s and Motor Neurone Disease, and surviving my own heart scare in 2017, I’m swimming to raise awareness and funds for families living with MND, PSP and Parkinson’s, especially out here in the bush.

This isn’t about swimming.

I’m Scott Gladman.

I’m a farmer, a husband, a dad and a poppy, and I’ve spent my whole life in regional Australia.

I’ve played over 500 games of seniors footy, and I still pull the boots on to umpire the Bears Lagoon Serpentine reserves when they’re short – plus there’s always a footy bag in the ute, just in case.

Eighteen months ago I was no distance swimmer – a holiday dip, the dads’ race at the kids’ carnival, and the odd shove in the creek.

Now I’m up at 4.30am most mornings, training for the biggest physical test of my life and at 63 years old.

In 2017, my ticker gave me a scare.

Three stents and a second chance.

So I made myself a promise: if I’ve been given more time, I’m going to use it to make a difference.

That promise is Fight the Current.

Why I’m really doing this.

Russ & Pat are both close family mates – footy club and family men through and through.

There’s not much they haven’t done for our club and our town.

Now they’re facing their biggest fight, living with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) and Motor Neuron Disease (MND).

Every kilometer I swim is for Russ, Pat, and for every family out here doing it tough.