About Barrie Devenport
Lived 1935 – 2010 (aged 74). Barrie Devenport was a New Zealand swimmer.
John William Barrie Devenport (7 October 1935 – 25 July 2010, often mistakenly reported as "Barrie Davenport") was a New Zealand swimmer and lifesaver who was the first person in modern history to swim Cook Strait.
Devenport was born in Wellington on 7 October 1935. On 20 November 1962, at the age of 27, he swam from Cape Terawhiti in the North Island to Wellington Rock in the South Island in 11 hours, 13 minutes. He was inducted into the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame in 1995.
He died in 2010 on the Gold Coast, Australia, after an 18-month battle with cancer.
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Important facts
People in Barrie Devenport's life
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Contemporaries
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Frequently asked questions
Who was Barrie Devenport?
New Zealand swimmer (1935-2010)
When was Barrie Devenport born?
Barrie Devenport was born on 7 October 1935.
When did Barrie Devenport die?
Barrie Devenport died on 25 July 2010.
What was Barrie Devenport's occupation?
Barrie Devenport was a swimmer.
What nationality was Barrie Devenport?
Barrie Devenport was New Zealand.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Barrie Devenport. https://biography.guide/barrie-devenport/
MLA: "Barrie Devenport." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/barrie-devenport/.
Chicago: "Barrie Devenport." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/barrie-devenport/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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