Boiler swim for charity

Paddlers will ditch their canoes today and break out their togs for the annual Vaka Eiva boiler swim today.

Event co-ordinator Victoria Dearlove says anyone wishing to take part in the 750m charity swim can do so by heading to Avarua harbour at 5pm today with a gold coin donation.

She says last year the conditions were not ideal, therefore the turnout was not as good as previous years – however much needed funds were raised.

The record is 150 swimmers and with the large turnout of paddlers at this year’s Vaka Eiva that record is expected to be easily broken.

The charity receiving the gold coin donations from the race this year will be the team at the Creative Centre in Tupapa.

Principal of the Creative Centre Rodger Harkness would like to extend a massive meitaki maata to all who will be taking part in the swim and making donations to the adult learning school.

The funds will be going towards equipment needed to restart the school’s hydroponics facilities.

“We need a nutrient tester and a PH tester,” he says, hoping the funds raised from the swim will cover the costs of the machines.

The centre recently received a whopping $1200 donation from Westpac, which has been fundraising with sausage sizzles.

The boiler swim is open to anyone and everyone - paddlers and spectators, locals and visitors – so grab your togs and some goggles and get swimming for charity.