Swimmers brave the cold for charity

Swimmers from around the region were blessed with a perfect morning in the annual Blue September fundraiser for the Prostate Cancer Foundation.

A field of 44 started the race, raising $895 for the charity through entry fees and donations.

The swim took in a course of 600m from the Nelson yacht club, symbolising the 600 men who die each year from prostate cancer.

Noah Brehaut, 13, was the youngest in the race and he displayed a youthful exuberance in storming around the course in 9 minutes and 12 seconds, winning by three seconds from Lucy Barron, 29, with 58-year old Christina Harris taking third place in 9min 19sec.

There was a 65-year span in ages taking part, with Tom Dunn, 78, and Ralph Hetzel, 77, the oldest taking part.

The good turnout reflects the growth of year-round ocean swimming around the country in the time of Covid, with an increasing number of swimmers taking to the water all year round and 30-40 swimmers in the region swimming regularly.

For most swimmers, training now starts in earnest for the regular season, with racing scheduled to start in the Port Nelson Series from November 18.

More details. nelsonseaswims.co.nz