Boiler swim in aid of Te Vaerua

Paddlers, supporters and the general public are invited to swim the 750 metres out to the iconic Boiler in front of Trader Jack’s and back to raise funds for charity.

The swim will be on Tuesday at 5pm, and anyone is welcome to join – all you need is a gold coin and your togs.

Last year, 109 swimmers traded gold coins for a chance to do the charity swim – five more than the previous year.

The Boiler Swim is a Vaka Eiva fixture – and every year, paddlers, supporters and just-for-fun swimmers dig into their pockets for gold coins to participate.

This year, the proceeds will go to Te Vaerua Rehabilitation Service, a registered organisation that offers free-of-charge rehabilitation services to those with health issues and disabilities.

Te Vaerua is the only service of its kind on the island and takes a multidisciplinary approach to rehabilitation – it relies on the medical expertise of a range of health personnel, including physiotherapists, speech therapists, occupational therapists, general practitioners and local nurses, and intends to eventually install a therapy pool and gym.

Te Vaerua receives minimal funding from the Ministry of Health and the Community Initiative Scheme, but otherwise finances its operations by fundraising, so any and all donations are welcome.