We’ve heard from so many of our swimming heroes how much they love having a reason to team up and get in the ocean throughout the winter. Let’s face it – it’s a big call, especially on grey, wet, windy days. But the benefits of winter swimming for your mental and physical wellbeing (those endorphins!) are hard to beat, and you know you’re doing a world of good for young Kiwis at the same time. Our swimmers shared with us how their swims boosted their energy levels, improved their mental health, and got them out into nature and spending time with friends, old and new.

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This year's challenge even provided one swimmer with her first-ever chance to get into the ocean! 70-year-old Mary, who has lived in Aotearoa for more than two decades, has always wanted to swim in the sea but didn’t want to try it alone. For her, last week’s Polar Plunge event was a double blessing – a first ocean dip with the camaraderie of a group, and the knowledge that her swim was helping whānau when they need it most.

We were humbled by the incredible tamariki who took part. At age 8, Declan Murray was not only our youngest fundraiser, he was one of our fiercest! Braving chilly Auckland beaches throughout winter, Declan raised a whopping $518. He’s passionate about helping tamariki dealing with grief. ‘I never got to meet my Grandpa Richie because he died when my mum was only 14. My mum told me how hard it was to lose her dad when she was so young, so I wanted to help other kids who felt that way.’

Another young Aucklander, 10-year-old Fletcher, was inspired to write a speech about the Winter Swim Challenge and the power of community after seeing Kenzie’s Gift swimmers at Narrowneck beach. Fletcher won his school speech competition, and placed third at the nationals!  

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Community spirit was especially important for swimmers who themselves are dealing with grief, like Emma and Charlotte – two mātātahi from Auckland who have both recently experienced the death of a parent. Both Emma and Charlotte received therapy support from Kenzie’s Gift, and were inspired to take part in the challenge this winter to give back to Kenzie’s Gift. Emma described how this campaign has helped her feel less isolated – being part of a group of like-minded people, many of whom know what it's like to go through the death of a love one.

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In another standout moment this year, Kenzie’s Gift founder Nic travelled to Lake Tekapo to complete her iciest swim of the season with bereaved mama Sarah Luxon – an ice bath aficionado and long-time champion of the Winter Swim Challenge. These mamas have much in common: their daughters have died, and they have both battled mate pukupuku / cancer. At Lake Tekapo in July, Nic and Sarah met in person for the first time and plunged together in memory of their beautiful daughters, both called Mackenzie.  

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As the 2024 winter swim season drew to a close, many gathered for the Polar Plunge at Tāmaki Makarau’s Cheltenham beach and across the country. The Polar Pounge was a day of fun, sun and solidarity as swimmers plunged together with their whānau and friends. At the heart of the Auckland plunge was a team of incredible volunteers and sponsors: from bringing homemade soup, tents and tables to co-ordination, set-up, safety and the performance of a moving karakia – we are so thankful to everyone whose dedication, time and effort made this event possible.  

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Raising funds is vital for Kenzie’s Gift to continue supporting young Kiwis and their families, but the Winter Swim Challenge has shown that the sense of community it creates is just as important. The money raised will change the lives of the families we help. But the campaign has also been a force for good in the lives of the Kiwis taking part; spending time together and in nature, making memories, experiencing the rush of cold-water swimming and finding joy in doing something that matters.

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He aha te mea nui? Māku e kii atu, he tāngata, he tāngata, he tāngata /

‍What is the most important thing in the world? Well, let me tell you, it is people, it is people, it is people.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts to everyone who took part. Mā te wā / See you next year!

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