Special Achievements

• 1990 - The first West Australian to cross the English Channel solo.
• 1991 - Won gold medal in open distance 25km event at the FINA World Aquatics Championships, Perth, WA.
• 1994 - Won bronze medal in open distance 25km event at the FINA World Aquatics Championships, Rome, Italy.
• 1995 - Won New York City Manhattan Island Marathon Swim, swimming 48km in 5hrs 45min 25sec.

Additional Information

• 1988-1994 - Consecutive world long distance/open water swimmer of the year
• 1989 - Won West Australian of the Year Award
• 1991 - Australian long distance/open water swimmer of the year
• 1991 - Won West Australian of the Year Award
• 1991 - Won Australian Female Athlete of the Year Award
• 1991 - Received key to the City of Perth
• 1993 - Australian long distance/open water swimmer of the year
• 1997 -  Australian long distance/open water swimmer of the year
• 1997 - Won gold medal at Pan Pacific Swimming Championships in Japan in the 25km marathon category.
• 1997 - West Australian public transport organisation, Transperth, names ferry, MV Shelley Taylor-Smith, after Shelley Taylor-Smith.
• 1997 - Triple crossing relay of English Channel. 
• 2010-2012 - Committee member for Swimming WA's Open Water Swimming Committee
• 2011-present - Board member for Swan River Trust