Mum of 4 to swim Cook Strait and fundraise for Local Charity

When Hayley Underwood takes her first stroke across Cook Strait in mid-March (exact date depends on weather and tides), she’ll hit the water knowing there’s a huge team of friends and family behind her every stroke.

In fact, only three key people will be on the boat beside her that day. Her husband, Chris; swimming coach Trevor Nicholls and former marathon swimmer, Phil Rush.

The Palmy born and bred mum of four only took up distance swimming 5 ½ years ago when friend and swimming buddy Jo Coxon asked her to take on the 1km swim leg for a local triathlon. She started training with Jo at KiwiWest aquatics under coach Trevor Nicholls and remembers vividly the day Trevor told her she should swim Cook Strait.

Since then Hayley’s chalked up endless kilometres at both KiwiWest’s 25m Westend pool and the 50m Marton Swim Centre, both run by the Nicholls family. She swims five times a week clocking up 15-20km on the ‘short’ weeks and up to 50km in the really ‘big’ weeks. In March 2018 she swam the 40.2km length of Lake Taupo in 14hr 13minutes, a challenge only ever completed by less than 50 people.

She says Trevor Nicholl’s coaching has played a huge part in her swimming achievements. He keeps the training interesting and understands when she needs a training session that will boost her confidence.

Likewise, Hayley’s husband Chris ,who she says is “pumped” about attempting the crossing, is hugely supportive and with Phil Rush will know when to push the buttons that kick Hayley into gear during the big day.

So why tackle the formidable 26km Cook Strait?

“I’m doing this because I’ve been given an amazing opportunity – an outstanding coach who saw something in me, a husband and family who are 100% supportive and swimming buddies who really push me along,” says Hayley.

Hayley says she’s also thrilled to be fundraising for MentorEd, a charity that provides support for children facing challenges at home which impact on their school life.

“I look at how lucky my kids are but there are kids out there struggling, with really hard lives. MentorEd is working with them and making a real difference and I’m just pleased I can help.”