Marathon swimmer Penny Palfrey landed in Cayman on Friday morning ready to take on all that the waters of Cayman can throw at her.

The swimmer said she was looking forward to her two open water swims - from Cayman Brac to Little Cayman on Monday, 6 June, and then her record-making attempt to be the first person to swim from Little Cayman to Grand Cayman on Thursday, 9 June.

“It’ll be a big challenge,” she said of the non-stop 68-mile swim from Little Cayman to Grand Cayman. The longest she has previously spent in the water at any one time is 17 hours.

Crossing from Little Cayman to Grand Cayman could take 40 hours or more, depending on sea conditions.

She is attempting to set a world record for the longest unassisted ocean solo swim.

“There are a lot of challenges in such a huge swim. The weather is always a factor. Then there’s the heat. The sun is going to be a problem. And, of course, the marine life. There are a lot of things to consider,” she said.

She may be in for a rough swim when she crosses from the Brac to Little Cayman on Monday, with the weather forecast predicting rough seas with wave heights of four to six feet..

As soon as she stepped off the Cayman Airways jet on Friday, Ms Palfrey was met by Frank Flowers, who has been instrumental in setting up her sea swim. She was also greeted by Director of Tourism Shomari Scott, government minister Mark Scotland and West Bay MLA Cline Glidden who is on the ministerial council for tourism.

On the air side of the airport, a large 12-foot long banner with “Welcome, Penny!”and showing an image of the swimmer on a previous swim had been erected.

Mr. Scott said Ms Palfrey’s swim would be a boost for sports tourism in Cayman, highlighting the Islands as a destination for open water swimming.

Even if people had not come specifically to watch and cheer on Ms Palfrey in her world recording making attempt, “this will bring brand awareness about the Cayman Islands”, Mr. Scott said.

The Palfreys intend to stay in Cayman after the inter-islands swims for a while, taking part in the Flowers Sea Swim on Saturday, 18 June, and then relaxing for a few days after that, said Chris Palfrey, who will be on one of the escort boats that will accompany his wife during her crossing.