Come and see us for the biggest range of eBikes right here in Blenheim!
Tuesday 10 January 2023
Redwood Hub Shopping Centre, Redwoodtown
www.bikesandscooters.co.nz
Take a shot at something new Family takes tennis trophy
Pine Valley celebrates
PAGE 5
SEE PAGE 4
PAGE 8
A mammoth swim like never before PETER JONES
peter@topsouthmedia.co.nz
In a little over two weeks George Glover will don a wet suit, wade into the surf and set off on the biggest challenge of his young life, tackling one of the most exposed pieces of coastlines in New Zealand. Beginning at New Brighton Pier, the 20-year-old plans to swim north, following the coastline until he reaches dry land in Whites Bay, some 300km later. Needing to contend with extreme tides, winds and currents in such an ambitious open water venture, George plans to turn the elements to his advantage during his seven to nine-hour swim stages, with sleep breaks on a support boat. Kaikoura will be a halfway point for the vessel to refuel and restock, though George will remain at sea – not touching land until his final destination. “This is by far the most challenging adventure I’ve dreamt up. The cause I have chosen is one that’s close to my heart and that I’m familiar with,” George says. He has set a goal of raising $100,000 for Mike King’s I Am Hope charity throughout the
coastal challenge, supporting the charity’s work providing positive attitudinal societal change around mental health throughout New Zealand, and funding private care and counselling for young people stuck-in-the-mud on waiting lists. The funds raised will provide more than 800 counselling sessions for New Zealand’s most atrisk youth. This isn’t the first time the thirdyear Canterbury University student has dipped his toes into the water on behalf of youth mental health. In 2020 his “Black Dog Swim”, where he swam the 61.5km length of the Queen Charlotte Sound and back again, raised more than $60,000 for the same charity. The following year he prompted his university mates to stage New Zealand’s first Cricket Marathon, raising $45,000 for I Am Hope while running a marathon in an overnight game of backyard cricket. So, what does George view as his main challenges as start time approaches? “Recovery and rehab on the boat will be crucial,” he explained. “Being in the water for that amount of time is fine … which
LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED
George Glover has spent plenty of time in the water over the past few months, preparing for his latest fundraising venture. Photo: Supplied. will be up to eight hours a day with the tide, because you can get a wee bit of slack on either side, but recovery will be the main
challenge. “Weather and sea conditions are always a variable though,” he quickly added. “The current runs
[north] at three knots when it is good so that will double swim
SEE PAGE 2
marlboroughapp.co.nz