A midwinter swim across Otago Harbour is not usually on Grant McLean’s to-do list. But on Sunday, Mr McLean will be swimming 1km from Vauxhall across to the Harbour Basin as part of the Big Swim fundraising campaign for Coastguard New Zealand. Big Swim is a nationwide fundraising campaign challenging Kiwis to set a personal swimming goal throughout June to raise funds for Coastguard’s volunteer crews. Mr McLean said he promised his ‘‘fans’’ he would swim in the harbour if he reached his fundraising goal of $2000. At $1830, it was looking ‘‘highly likely’’ he was hopping in. ‘‘That shows you how many people don’t like me enough to see me get in the harbour — which, at best guess, is around 12 degrees, I’m told.’’ His goal for the Big Swim was to complete 20km over the month. Mr McLean was happy to report he was currently at 19km, and was saving the final stretch for the frigid waters of the harbour. ‘‘It’s like jogging: once you get into it, it’s good ... so you just carry on. ‘‘The idea of finishing it in the harbour was just that extra step.’’ Big Swim fundraiser Grant McLean gauges the water temperature before a fundraising swim across Otago Harbour while Stephen Simpson, of Coastguard Dunedin, supervises. PHOTO: STEPHEN JAQUIERY Mr McLean said he was a ‘‘complete wuss’’ when it came to cold water, but despite that he was excited — with just a small hint of ‘‘trepidation’’. There were three reasons he had decided to take on the challenge: to support Coastguard NZ, fitness and mental health. ‘‘If you find yourself drowning on land, get to the ocean. ‘‘It’s something I got told before.’’ On Sunday, Coastguard Dunedin will trail Mr McLean across the harbour to show their support for his fundraising effort and be there ‘‘just in case’’. Volunteer and board member Stephen Simpson said there were many people like Mr McLean taking up the challenge, for which Coastguard Dunedin was very thankful. ‘‘Every penny we can get we are hugely grateful for — and it always goes towards very many things that we need in Coastguard.’’ laine.priestley@odt.co.nz
