Less than 10 people have completed the iconic NZ marathon swimming challenge known as the ‘Triple Crown’ which involves successful crossings of Lake Taupo (40.2km), Cook Straight (22km) & Foveaux Straight (28km) – and over the course of the next season I plan to be one of them.
I’ve decided to use these swims as a means to support ‘I Am Hope’ to help raise crucial funds for youth mental health support here in NZ following my own journey after a spinal fusion and subsequent recovery amidst the peak of my swimming career at 17.
I know full well how necessary this support is for young Kiwis to help get them back out there following their passions. As you may imagine, being a NZ title & record holding athlete going from training 26hrs a week to being on full bed rest and learning basic motor skills again at such an age took a toll on me, and I lost who I was for a number of years including my love of the water.
The past couple of years has found me reestablish myself & rediscover this feeling of completeness when swimming and getting back into it, hence why I’ve set my heart on finally achieving these personal bucket-list swims that I’ve dreamt of for so long, all while doing a little bit of good in the world while I’m at it. Why not right?
I am certainly not the first, nor likely to be the fastest, and am very well aware of many incredible feats undertaken by people everyday – both through adventures similar to this or for those going through their own battles, simply getting through the day. I am a small town girl chasing some big time dreams and would be humbled for you to come on this journey with me.
Your support of as much or as little of a donation as these times allow means the world to both myself & the I Am Hope team and is greatly appreciated.
Click here to make a donation
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