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Shona's August Swim Fundraiser

  • Day 31

      31 August 2024

    Weather: cloudy, fresh northerlies, high of 17°C

    Princess Bay

    The final day and I made it to the South Coast! It was overcast but the rain held off. Six of us were there (pretty good for 9am on a Saturday in winter). Considering it was a south coast beach the water wasn't too cold and we stayed in for a while. There was also a seal on the beach which I'd completely missed until someone pointed it out! After our dip we drank tea and ate cookies. Since this is the final day I've posted a video instead of the usual picture, of all the dips over the past month (you'll see the seal at the end). I'm proud that I kept my promise to get in the sea every single day. I enjoyed it, especially when people joined me (which was often), and I'm so grateful to live near all these awesome beaches. Thank you to everyone who donated; I'm going to top it up a little today to reach the $1,000 mark!

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  • Day 30

      30 August 2024
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    Weather: sunny, northerlies, high of 15

    Freyberg Beach

    The penultimate dip! We swam 1500m in swim squad (pool) and then a few of us jumped in the sea to cool off. A bit of surf, clear water, and an excellent way to wrap up the week. Final dip tomorrow (or at least, the final one that will appear on this page).

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  • Day 29

      29 August 2024
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    Weather: Rain, gale northerlies, high of 17°C

    Worser Bay

    These last few days are testing me! It's not cold in the slightest but the wind was so strong that I left all my gear in the car so it wouldn't blow away on the beach. I didn't even get changed afterwards because it was too blustery. Sand flew in my face as I walked in and then a bunch of spray hit me from the stirred-up sea. I felt a little frazzled so took a few deep breaths. All good! Two days to go...

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  • Day 28

      28 August 2024
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    Weather: clearing to fine, light southerly, high of 16°C

    Worser Bay

    Went in just after 7am this morning and it was a beautiful calm dawn, with a golden sun, mauve clouds and shimmering sea. The current caused us to drift sideways towards the yacht club (I had to rescue my duck) and the wind was picking up by the time we left.

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  • Day 27

      27 August 2024
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    Weather: Cloudy, northerlies, high of 16°C.

    Worser Bay

    The one after all the heavy rain. Water temp and air temp felt about the same at 8:30am. We won't talk about water quality today! As always, fun with friends.

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  • Day 26

      26 August 2024
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    Weather: Heavy rain, no wind, high of 14°C

    Worser Bay

    I love this weather for swimming! The water is still, the rain makes the world silent, everything is misty and pretty. My swim buddy brought her camera into the sea and she got some great shag's-eye-view shots. Ducky read 12.5° – easy to get in and stay in.

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  • Day 25

      25 August 2024
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    Weather: Cloudy but clearing, gale northerlies, high of 15°C

    Freyberg Beach

    Early spring weather! Very blustery, very choppy, did not venture far from shore. Played in the waves.

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  • Day 24

      24 August 2024
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    Weather: clearing, northerlies, high of 16°C

    Seatoun Beach

    Dipped early (before 7) as I have a busy day today. The clouds were clearing, the street lights were still on, a half-moon hung in the sky above the wharf, all was silent save the sound of the surf, and the breeze was mild compared with yesterday. The water was mild too, I don't think it'll reach below 11 again. To differentiate today's photo I've included my trusty Bunnings swim bucket, which holds my hooded towel, a change of clothes, and duck thermometer.

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  • Day 23

      23 August 2024
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    Weather: rain, strong northerlies, high of 15°C

    Seatoun Beach

    Wind and spotty rain today and I wasn't feeling 100% so getting to the beach felt like a challenge. Salt spray in my face, waves washing past me, deserted beach, a moody sky. Funnily enough, this is one of my favourite photos so far though.

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  • Day 22

      22 August 2024
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    Weather: Cloudy, northerlies, high of 14°C

    Scorching Bay

    Quiet beach, pleasant dip. My hubby came along as support crew and official photographer (and coffee buyer). Duck thermometer read a balmy 12°C!

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  • Day 21

      21 August 2024
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    Weather: Sunny, light northerlies, high of 14°C

    Worser Bay

    A beautiful, sunny morning. As I was stripping down to my togs a dog walker said, "I don't know how you do it!" but continued on before I could think of a profound reply. I'm noticing it's easy to get in (the water is about 11°C) and I'm spending longer in the sea without really thinking about it, so my endurance must be quietly increasing. Stuck my head under for the full cold-water thrill.

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  • Day 20

      20 August 2024
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    Weather: Calm, getting dark, about 5°C

    Seatoun Beach

    The surface was calm tonight but the current was quite strong even close to shore and mysterious things brushed against our bare legs (seaweed, but our imaginations wandered) so we didn't linger in the sea too long. I wish I could share more than one photo because swimming at dusk and then watching the moonrise (a blue moon) while rugged up with hot choc in my thermos was really special! Random people stopped to tell us we were keen/crazy/brave.

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  • Day 19

      19 August 2024
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    Weather: Clearing, light winds, high of 13°C

    Worser Bay

    Wellington got a massive drenching yesterday and last night, but the rain had stopped by mid-morning. The world felt freshly washed and there was a nip in the air from a southerly change. Worser Bay is a dog-friendly beach and pooches like to run up and give my swim bucket (with my change gear in it) a sniff – one tried to put his ball in there today!

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  • Day 18

      18 August 2024
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    Weather: Rain, northerlies, high of 16°C

    Scorching Bay

    Today was the most mentally challenging so far, not because it's cold but the weather is so meh and the water's a bit bleugh. Luckily my youngest daughter came along for moral support! And took my daily photo.

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  • Day 17

      17 August 2024
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    Weather: Sunny, northerlies, high of 16°C

    Worser Bay

    The days are flying by! I failed to set my alarm for the promised 7:30am (Saturday) and arrived a little late but my friend was very patient as I got myself sorted. A lovely dip and chat. Weather is turning again this afternoon so I appreciated the early sun.

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  • Day 16

      16 August 2024
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    Weather: Cloudy, northerlies, high of 15°C

    Freyberg Beach

    Very mild weather this week! I had my usual hour of swim squad at the pool this morning and then a few of us jumped in the choppy sea. Felt like a million bucks afterwards.

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  • Day 15

      15 August 2024
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    Weather: Sunny/cloudy, strong northerlies, high of 14°C

    Scorching Bay

    8am. The northerlies rippled across the sea surface and gave me goosebumps but the sun felt good on my face. After I'd been floating around for a few minutes a fellow dipper arrived and we got chatting – she has been dipping there every day for three years, witnessing the cycle of seasons. As we talked a shag popped up next to us! We both ducked our heads underwater and enjoyed the cold rush. Afterwards I treated myself to a coffee from Scorchorama.

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  • Day 14

      14 August 2024
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    Weather: Sunny/cloudy, northerly, high of 13°, 'feels like' 5°C

    Worser Bay

    It's more fun with friends! The water was lovely, the breeze was chilly. Morning frost. Best way to start the day.

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  • Day 13

      13 August 2024
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    Weather: Clearing, strong southerlies, high of 11°C

    Seatoun Beach

    The calm(er) after yesterday's crazy wind storm. Found a spot away from the breakers, but the tide was out and the current was strong so I didn't go far. The wind was brrr and I should've worn a hat. Sea temp was warmer than the wind temp so getting in was easy. Drove straight home to get changed. Was buzzing afterwards, this is the wintry weather I signed up for! Woohoo.

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  • Day 12

      12 August 2024
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    Weather: Cloudy, light northerly, high of 17°C (!)

    Hataitai Beach

    I'm mixing up the beaches and times to keep things interesting. Hataitai Beach has its pros (wooden changing hut, stairway into the sea, sheltered) and its cons (sedimenty water, v public swim experience as it's on a busy road). Ducky is back in action and read 11.5°C – balmy! Southerly gales and possible hail later might change that. Inside the hut is an old photo of beachgoers circa early 20th century and the women are all full-skirted, so I had a moment of gratitude that I can frolic in togs without getting arrested/told off.

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  • Day 11

      11 August 2024
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    Weather: Sunny, light northerly, high of 14°C

    Worser Bay

    Back in the water barely 12 hours after Days Bay – I think I am turning into a mermaid! My rubber duck thermometer wasn't working so I hope I haven't pushed it too far on these daily dips. A random swimmer approached me in the sea to ask where I got my neoprene gloves – 'tis the season for cold hands.

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  • Day 10

      10 August 2024
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    Weather: Clearing to fine, southerlies dying out, high of 13°C

    Days Bay

    Ten of us booked Scenic Saunas (a portable sauna) for Saturday afternoon. I managed five dips between stints in the sauna. Afterwards we sat by the beach drinking from our thermoses as the sun set.

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  • Day nine

      9 August 2024
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    Weather: Cold and grey, strong south-westerlies. High of 10°C, 'feels like' 5°C

    Freyberg Beach

    Quick dip by myself after swim squad this morning. Flat sea, nippy breeze. I'm finding the frequency of daily immersions more challenging than the temperature, but I definitely felt the cold in my hands today compared with the warm pool. However, I watched the Olympics marathon (10K) swim in the Seine yesterday and this is much easier!

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  • Day eight

      8 August 2024
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    Weather: Showers, strong northerlies, high of 13°C

    Seatoun Beach

    It was a play in the wind, drizzle and waves next to the wharf this morning. I meant what I said, and I said what I meant: August swimming is wild, one hundred per cent!

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  • Day seven

      7 August 2024
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    Weather: Sunny! High of 14°C

    Scorching Bay

    One week into this already, and the weather is awesome today! My swim buddy and I had the whole beach to ourselves at 8:30am, and the water was glossy and smooth. Rubber ducky thermometer read 10.5°C. 10 out of 10, would swim again.

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  • Day six

      6 August 2024
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    Weather: Sunny and northerlies, high of 14°C, 'feels like' 5° (as of 9am)

    Worser Bay

    Clear sky, gentle sea, and the morning sun on my face was bliss. I barely noticed how cold it was getting in so it can't have been too bad. Someone has built a driftwood structure on the beach and its horizontal branches are ideal for hanging my gear on – not sure if that was their intention but it works for me!

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  • Day five

      5 August 2024
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    Weather: High of 12°C, sunny and cloudy, light northerlies

    Worser Bay

    Much warmer compared to yesterday and the sea was somewhere around 10 or maybe even 11. This is the first time I've committed to getting in each day and so far I'm enjoying my daily appointment with the sea. No matter what else is going on (and there's plenty of 'else' right now) it's a precious few minutes communing with nature, a deep breath or two, and peace.

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  • Day four

      4 August 2024
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    Weather: Sunny and cloudy, high of 11°, 'feels like' 0°C

    Freyberg Beach

    A beautiful, frosty Sunday morning! Snow across the harbour on the Tararua ranges, ice on the boardwalk, and I stuck close to shore due to the 9°C water temperature. Afterwards I treated myself to a warm shower at the pool next door and a coffee from Gelissimo at the beach.

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  • Day three

      3 August 2024
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    Weather: Sunny with cloud and no wind! High of 11°C, ‘feels like’ 5°C

    Worser Bay

    This morning I had my first close encounter with marine life when I almost trod on a stingray! 😮 My trusty and highly scientific rubber duck thermometer told me the water temp was 10.5°C. A friend joined me and we had a nice bob around. Didn't take long to warm up afterwards in the sun.

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  • Day two

      2 August 2024
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    Weather: Still windy and rainy, high of 10°C, ‘feels like' 4°C

    Freyberg Beach

    It was easier getting in today because I had a group swim session at the pool first, so was thoroughly warm after an hour of swimming laps. While the water quality was probably a bit yuck after several days of rain, the sea surface was nice and calm. Under a grey sky, I strode in with the beach to myself and plunged in. Got a good tingle in the hands and feet because I hadn’t bothered with neoprene gloves or socks. A quick trip out to the white buoy and back, then a cold rinse outside and a warm shower inside.

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  • Day One

      1 August 2024
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    Weather: Windy, rainy, high of 10°C, ‘feels like’ 3°C. (MetService app)

    Mood: 6/10 (before), 10/10 (after)

    Happy August the first! I felt a little trepidation after three days of heavy downpours and wild southerlies. Rugged-up dog walkers looked on in bemusement as I zoomed down the beach in my pink togs and woolly hat towards the churned-up sea. I was planning on a quick splash but a swim buddy came too and we stayed in bobbing and chatting for a while. The rain stopped for a moment and a rainbow appeared – I’m assuming that’s auspicious. Went home to warm up with a hot drink, but then I realised I’d left a glove at the beach so had to return to hunt for it in driving rain. Found it! Phew. No claw hand for me tomorrow.

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