Swimmer aims to join elite who knocked off lake

Swimmer Jackson Arlidge, 33, of Wellington, seen here at the Blue Lake at St Bathans last year, will attempt to swim the length of Lake Wānaka. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Wellington swimmer Jackson Arlidge plans to take on the 42km length of Lake Wānaka sometime between February 10 and 16 depending on the weather, aiming to be the fifth swimmer to complete the challenge but the first man to do so without a wetsuit.

The Wellington software engineer is a former pool competition swimmer who has turned in recent years to other challenges, such as New Zealand Ice Swimming events including last year’s national championships at St Bathans.

"I have always swum. I spent about nine years as a competitive pool swimmer competing at a national level from 2000 to 2008."

Arlidge has also competed in various Ruby Swim distances - 2.5km, 5km and 10km - as well as in Queenstown’s Whakatipu Legend - 5km and 10km.

Just a few weeks ago, he completed the Epic Epic at Lake Taupo, which requires swimmers to complete three separate events in one day - 10km, 5km and 2.5km.

"I have been really lucky and haven’t faced any major challenges while preparing for this swim, just juggling a busy life with training, work and a 2-year-old."

His wife had been "amazingly supportive".

He is using his Wānaka swim as a fundraiser for I Am Hope.