Three-day hike part of challenge to swim all of South Island's 344 lakes
From reporter Debbie Jamieson:
Liana Smith hiked for three days to plunge into Otago’s remote Lake Unknown and do her part in a challenge to swim all 344 lakes in the South Island.
Smith is a hiking guide and accomplished swimmer who completed the “triple crown” of New Zealand swims last year – swimming Lake Taupo (40.2km), Cook Strait (22km) and Foveaux Strait (28km).
She is also a member of the Queenstown-based Southern Lakes Swimming Club, which established the Lake Attack Aotearoa 2023 challenge, encouraging swimmers everywhere to help complete the goal of swimming all 344 South Island lakes before May.
“I love pushing myself, and I'm in constant pursuit to find my physical and mental limits in life,” Smith said.
The challenge gave her an excuse to take on the solo expedition to Lake Unknown, in Mt Aspiring National Park, which had been on her adventure list for a few years.
It is also the most remote and ambitious of the 50 swims logged so far on the Lake Attack website.
Others include a New Year's Day swim in chilly Lake Alta at the Remarkables ski area, undertaken by several members of the club including Paul Jaquin who swam in the 8C water without a wetsuit.
The challenge was open to everyone and people needed to swim for only 10 minutes to log the event.
The 344 South Island lakes were those identified on Topographic maps, but more were being added as people found them, Ashford-Tait said.
Swimmers were also encouraged to log useful information on water quality and biodiversity, which would be collated by club members.
The challenge opened on Christmas Day and there had already been participants from the south, Christchurch and Blenheim.
While the club would like to see every lake swum, the website does warn swimmers to be safe, not swim if the water quality is not suitable, and avoid spreading lake nasties such as didymo.
Queenstown teenager Jacob Marriott is leading the statistics on the group’s website so far with the most swims completed (23), the longest time swimming (370 minutes) and the furthest distance swum (11.3km).
Secure your homes over summer
Police are reminding people to keep their homes secure during the summer months.
Inspector Glenda Barnaby, Christchurch Area Prevention manager, says daytime burglaries are just as common as nightime burglaries.
“Burglaries can be committed at any time of the day, and coming into warmer months there is more opportunity for thieves."
"Although a majority of burglaries involve forced entry through windows and doors, we are starting to see more incidents at insecure premises. Police deal with cases where burglaries are committed in broad daylight, sometimes even while the victim is at home. Good weather means open doors and windows, which makes homes more vulnerable to burglars.”
Inspector Barnaby says there’s a few things people can do to reduce their changes of a burglary being committed.
⚠️ If you’re going outside for gardening, relaxing in the sun, or working in the garage, take a moment to lock your doors and secure your windows first.
⚠️ Do the same at night when you go to bed - keep your doors and windows secure and close your curtains. Fitting window stays means you can get a breeze coming through, while keeping your windows secure.
⚠️ Get to know your neighbours - let them know if you’re going away and look out for one another.”
If you see any suspicious activity, people or vehicles in your neighbourhood, don't hesitate to contact Police.
If you witness or suspect any illegal activity, please call 111 if it is happening now, or make a report through 105 either online or over the phone, if it is after the fact.
Poll: Are our Kiwi summer holidays helping us recharge, or holding the economy back? ☀️🥝
There’s growing debate about whether New Zealand’s extended Christmas break (and the slowdown that comes with it) affects productivity.
Tracy Watkins has weighed in ... now it’s your turn. What’s your take? 🤔
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72.7% We work hard, we deserve a break!
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16.3% Hmm, maybe?
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11% Yes!
Brain Teaser of the Day 🧠✨ Can You Solve It? 🤔💬
How many balls of string does it take to reach the moon?
(Peter from Carterton kindly provided this head-scratcher ... thanks, Peter!)
Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm on the day!
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