COUNTLESS operations, radiation treatment, 12 months chemotherapy and 10 days in an induced coma makes completing an ocean swim feel like a breeze for Nathan Rix.
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It came as no surprise to him that he successfully completed the 17th annual Tilbury Classic Ocean Swim, despite all the fan-fare he received on Saturday, when he swam ashore at Culburra Beach.
While everyone at the beach on Saturday was in awe of Nathan's efforts in his swim, it's his journey up until that point which is even more inspiring.
His life changed forever at the age of seven when he first developed cancer in his right leg.
He underwent many procedures, which seemed to have worked for close to a decade.
But nine-and-a-half-years later he relapsed and his doctors had to take drastic measures, due to an osteosarcoma tumour
The Campbelltown man had the bottom half of his right leg amputated on May 2, 2005.
"In the early stages after the amputation, the hardest part was dealing with the phantom pain," Rix said.
"The feeling of your leg that isn't there when it isn't is hard to explain but is extremely painful.
"Another challenge is dealing with people you meet personally and professionally who have never walked a day in your shoes but have an opinion of what an amputee can and can't do.
Rix said his amputee status hasn't held him back.
"If you put your mind to something, I truly believe there are no limits," he said.
"I do volunteer work for limb4life which is about mentoring new amputees. It's very rewarding and great for them to see what you can do as an amputee rather than what you can't do.
"I'm also a member of amputee golf NSW and those men and women are inspiring.
"There is still along way to go around acceptance and equal opportunities for people living with a disability and people need to be less narrow minded more understanding and better educated and apply those principles."
Despite all this, Rix , who also lost his mother Deborah to cancer in 1997, hasn't let it prevent him from doing what he desires, including swimming.
"I have always loved the water but hadn't done any lap swimming for many years," he said.
"About four years ago I jumped in the pool and was struggling just to do a 100 metres, so I gradually built up from there."
This led to the now 32-year-old to taking part in his first ocean swim, the Bondi to Bronte in 2014.
"I saw the advertised Bondi to Bronte ocean swim was a fundraiser for the kids cancer project and thought that's me - that's my motivation," he said.
"The first one I completed was the little 800m swim.
"Then the years following I have completed the 2.4km Bondi to Bronte and so far raised more than $6000 for the kids cancer project."
He wears a short blade flipper to make his lower half float a little better during a swim.
Rix, as well as participating in the Bondi to Bronte, has also completed the Coogee Island Challenge, Collaroy, Malabar Swim for the Rainbow Foundation and Wollongong Basin to Beach events - leading him to take part in Saturday's Tilbury Classic.
"I was visiting family for Easter and thought it would be a good chance to enter the Tilbury Classic," he said.
"Two mates of mine, Paul and Dave, from the Coledale Oysters Winter Swim Club, were keen, so we all signed up for the event."
The champion swimmer, on the day, completed the 2.2km course in 50:50.80.
"I thought I went okay - it's never been about speed for me," he said.
"It's about enjoying the event taking in the view from the ocean and having fun and hopefully challenging others to take on the event."
Once he competed the swim, Rix was helped up the beach by many other participants of the Nowra-Culburra SLSC run event.
"My aunty Julie and my cousins came along on the day," he said.
"They had the important job of transporting my leg from beach to beach - they are amazing people."
Rix had such a great time at his first Tilbury Classic, he is already made plans to return in 2020.
"I will be back and a couple of cousins are keen to join me next year," he said.
"It's such a well organised event and it's great to see the entry money helping the Nowra-Culburra SLSC.
"Some of the Sydney swims could learn a lot from how the Culburra event is run."
Before returning next Easter, Rix has his eyes set on swimming once again in the Bondi to Bronte in December.
The 17th annual Tilbury Classic was won by Jordan White in a time 24:46.70, with Dylan Anderson and Cooper Edwards finishing second and third respectively.