Otago University student prepares for Foveaux Strait swim
Wednesday, 8 August 2018
A former Invercargill woman will attempt to swim the treacherous Foveaux Strait to draw attention to the growing number of people dealing with mental health issues.
Hannah Morgan plans to swim from Bluff to Stewart Island, a roughly 30km trip, in February.
After doing research on sea temperatures and tides, Morgan has worked out that February 12-14 are the best days for an attempt.
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'I'll have two or three support swimmers but they can only be with me for three hours [in total].
'It's very exciting and a little nerve racking.'
One of her friends died last year after suffering from mental health issues. As a way to make people more aware of mental health issues, Morgan decided to highlight it through the swim.
'She's my main motivation [for doing the swim],' Morgan said.
The swim is also a fundraising event and money received will be given equally to the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand and Otago University Students' Association.
A Givealittle page, titled to Swim Strait For Life, was opened by Morgan on August 2 and has received $1095.
She is confident of surpassing her target of $15,000 before the swim.
'The support I'm getting is incredible.'
Morgan, 20, who is studying law and BA politics at Otago University, is concerned at the increasing number of fellow students affected by mental health issues. She has also been a support person for people with the problem.
She has a strong swimming background. She held national titles in freestyle for 200 metres, 400m and 800m as a 13- and 14-year-old and also set Southland records when living in Invercargill.
The former James Hargest College pupil is in her first year of open-water swimming.
Her training for the Foveaux Strait crossing started six months ago and now consists of seven to nine sessions a week at Moana Pool in company with Otago's top swimmers, cross-training and gym training.
Chloe Harris, of Christchurch, swam from Stewart Island to Bluff in February 2016. Her unofficial time of 8hr 30min is believed to be the fastest for the crossing.
Morgan hopes to complete the swim in 10 hours.