A local electrician and coastguard member is swimming almost four kilometres down the Whakatāne River this weekend in support of Coastguard.

Haze Toheriri has committed to swimming 20 kilometres during June as part of the national Coastguard Big Swim.

On Sunday he plans to swim from the Landing Road Bridge to the boat ramp – a distance of almost 4km, which is further than he has swum before in one stint.

Mr Toheriri has been a member of the coastguard for a while, and said the organisation was important in coastal areas such as Whakatāne.

“It’s the first time I’ve heard about this event, and I swim every week at the pools. I thought this would be a good incentive for public funding,” he said.

“We have a lot of fishermen and good fishing here. All funding received helps with getting the Coastguard better gear and the right tools.”

Mr Toheriri will start his swim at 8.30am. He invites the public to come and support him from the riverbank – or join part of the swim.

The Coastguard will provide land and on-water support.

“I think it will take an hour to an hour and a half to finish,” Mr Toheriri said.

A public barbeque will be held at the Coastguard building at 10am following the swim.

Although he knows he can complete the challenge, he admits to feeling “very nervous.

“It’s freaking me out; it’s going to be freezing cold. There are a few elements to get past.”

His fundraising goal was initially $350, but Mr Toheriri has already raised $1030.

He is also on track to surpass his distance goal having already swum 18.38km during the month.

Anyone wanting to support Mr Torheiri can do so via his Coastguard Big Swim page at https://bigswim.org.nz/h-toheriri.

PERSONAL CHALLENGE FOR COASTGUARD FUNDRAISER

Harcourts licensed agent and auctioneer Chris Robson is also taking on the Big Swim challenge.

He said the Coastguard was “invaluable” to the community.

“A lot of my friends are fishermen, it’s good this helps the Coastguard.

“Together we can help ensure that everyone enjoys Aotearoa New Zealand’s waters safely and with confidence.

“When I saw this, I thought I could make it a personal challenge as well, get out of my comfort zone,” Mr Robson said.

“Particularly in the month of June – it's frosty, which makes getting up more of a challenge.”

He suffered a slight setback when the Aquatic Centre closed for nine days at the start of the month, but quickly caught up on progressing towards his 10-kilometre goal.

“I think I’m going to do more,” he said.

He has upped his regular swimming routine from two sessions a week of 30-40 laps, to three sessions a week of 50-60 laps.

The challenge has already changed his outlook on swimming, showing him he is capable of swimming longer and further.

He is well on the way to raising his hoped-for $500.

Anyone wanting to support Mr Robson and the Coastguard can do so via his page on Coastguard Big Swim at https://bigswim.org.nz/c-robson.