20km Swim Around Rangitoto Island

Why do this? It’s a crazy combination of being inspired by people around us and watching too many YouTube videos of people doing incredible things.

Both Ellie and Wes have a passion for swimming and both have had some challenging times and events in their lives, but always takes away the positive points!

Ellie inspired Wes (and many) when she swam 100km in 10 days (10km per day) and raised $20,683 for Huntington's Disease Youth Organization of NZ. She is also labelled as many people's "swimspiration" in Auckland, a very great friend to many and also the unofficially coach of Wes.

Wes's life took a significant turn when he lost his dad just after turning 18. Even though it was one of the most challenging things he's ever gone through, he always tries to focus on the positive aspects of life. For him, the silver lining was that he had the perfect role model in his life for 18 years.

Even though neither of us have kids and wish we had the time to give to BigBuddy, it has been on our hearts to do this swim on behalf of the young boys who don’t have the privilege we had/have of a father figure. We believe the work BigBuddy does will help these boys grow into strong men, and that’s what the world needs.

We hope someone reads this and sees us doing it , and then builds up the courage to take on their next adventure !