At the age of six, Brenden Hall OAM contracted chickenpox, which led to a severe complication known as septicemia. This life-threatening infection resulted in the loss of his right leg above the knee.

Despite this challenge, Mr. Hall turned to swimming as rehabilitation, which has led him to his fifth Paralympic Games and a record including multiple gold mela-Paralympic gold.

Not only has Mr Hall excelled in the pool, representing Australia on the international stage since 2007 and winning multiple medals, but he has also thrived in the open water swimming, despite it not being a Paralympic event.

Suzie Ryan caught up with Mr Hall to learn how he is preparing for his fifth Paralympic Games and to hear about his journey into open water swimming.

Five Paralympics later

In 2008, Mr. Hall debuted for the Australian Dolphins at the Beijing Paralympic Games as the youngest member of the team, at 14 years old. Fast-forward to 2024, and Mr. Hall is now preparing for his fifth Paralympic Games, where he is one of the team’s veterans.

“Heading into my fifth Paralympic Games in Paris is just as exciting as making my first games back in 2008,” said Mr. Hall.

“Now it’s more special than back then because I have a young family, which makes it even more of an achievement.

“I’m looking forward to racing in front of the crowds again, especially with my family watching from the sidelines.

“Being able to compete in front of the crowds and have a ton of spectators watching means a lot to all of us Paralympians because the spectators can then go and spread the word of the Paralympic movement, which is special.”

Flagbearer

Hall has also been given the honour of carrying the flag for Australia’s Paralympic team in the Games’ opening ceremony alongside track and marathon wheelchair athlete Madison de Rozario.

“When it was announced, it was a real pinch-me, am-I-dreaming moment,” said Mr. Hall.

“I’ve always looked up to the athletes who carry the flag for us.

“Not once did I ever think I’d reach that status. So to be among such an awe-inspiring, legendary crowd is amazing and such a privilege.

“It is a moment I am looking forward to, especially with my family there to watch.”

A love of the open ocean

Despite spending hours swimming up and down the black line daily, Mr Hall doesn’t just love swimming in the pool. He also found a passion for open-water swimming from a young age. Despite the fact that there are no open water events at the Paralympics, he continues to enjoy the challenge it brings.

“I’ve always enjoyed surf swimming from a young age, but it wasn’t until I came back from the 2008 Paralympics in Beijing that I found out multi-class athletes could also compete in open water events,” said Mr Hall.

“I was pumped to hear that I could race open water, so I got training and entered my first five-kilometre open water swim at the Queensland Open Water Championships in 2009.

“I did it and loved it and have been pretty much doing them every year since then.

“I love that the playing field is pretty much evened out. Everyone starts the same and finishes the same. Plus, those extra-long laps—I love it all and that it’s always different.”

Representing in open water

Not only has Mr Hall had the privilege of representing Australia on the international stage in the pool, but he has also represented Australia in open water at the Para World Championships, one of his favourite achievements.

Having achieved great success across both pool and open water over the years, we asked Mr Hall about his favourite open-water swimming memory. While it was hard to choose, both memories are pretty special.

“One year at the Australian Open Water Championships, I think I was 17 or 18 years old, I remember winning silver in the age group for the 5km,” said Mr. Hall.

“That wasn’t in multi-class; that was against the able-bodied, which was a pretty special moment and something that will stick with me forever.

“My other favourite memory from open water is competing in the 5km Open Water Swim at the Para World Championships in 2010 and winning a gold medal.

“That was a really special moment, especially to bring home gold while wearing the green and gold.”

Tip from a five-time Paralympian

What advice would Hall give to those in open water swimming?

“If you haven’t tried open water, just get in and have a go,” said Mr Hall.”

“Just go and have fun.

“You don’t realise how much fun open water is until you’ve done it.”

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When are the Paralympics swimming events?

The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games will be held from Wednesday, 28 August to Sunday, 8 September, with the swimming events taking place from 29 August to 7 September. You can view the schedule here.

Coverage of the 2024 Paralympic Games is provided by Nine and Stan in Australia and Sky Sport in New Zealand.

There is no Para Marathon Swim.