Hannah Morgan targets Foveaux Strait swim

Friday, 4 January 2019

Otago University student Hannah Morgan is training hard for her attempt to swim across Foveaux Strait in February.

Hannah Morgan's mother Jane has mixed feelings about her daughter's next big swim.

But it's not your average paddle. It's a 30km-trip across the Foveaux Strait to be attempted in February.

Motivation for the swim came from a late friend who died last year after suffering from mental health issues.

As a way to make people more aware of mental health issues, Hannah decided to highlight it through the swim.

* Foveaux Strait swimmer Chloe Harris sleeps it off

* Christchurch woman's Foveaux Strait swim believed to be fastest ever**

'[Mum] does worry because it's such a long way,' Hannah said.

Foveaux Strait looking out from Halfmoon Bay, Stewart Island, where Hannah will begin her swim.

'She keeps those worries internal because she knows the swim means so much to me.'

But Jane is supporting Hannah where she can, which isn't always easy given Jane suffers from motion sickness.

She is fine on trains but becomes unwell travelling on most planes and on boats in rough seas.

In December, the pair travelled by ferry to Stewart Island to get the low-down on the best advice for the trip.

The initial crossing was not good, but Jane was thrilled to see calmer waters for the trip home.

However, Jane has said if she was needed in the support team for the start of the swim, she would be there, regardless.

'But I need to be at Bluff when she finishes,' Jane said.

Hannah researched sea temperatures and tides to find February 12-14 were the best days to make a crossing. If an attempt is not possible on those days, Hannah might reschedule it for March.

Hannah Morgan will use her swim from Stewart Island to Bluff in February as a fundraiser to help people with mental health issues.

She expects the swim will take between eight and a half and 10 hours.

Hannah's research showed the sea temperature should be 13 to 15 degrees, which is good because she won't be wearing a wetsuit.

'It changes your stroke and puts pressure on your shoulders,' Hannah said of the wetsuit.

Her body will be coated in a thick mixture of wool fat, vaseline and zinc before she puts on a swim suit.

The original plan has changed somewhat, and on the advice of Stewart Island fishermen, residents and the Stewart Island ferry captain, Hannah has decided to start the swim from Stewart Island.

'These people know the strait … they gave us really good information,' Jane said.

One resident had been in the support crew for two Foveaux Strait swim attempts, with only one being successful.

Overall feedback convinced Hannah to start at Stewart Island taking into account tides and currents.

She is currently training eight times a week at Moana Pool and in the sea at St Clair Beach and is clocking up between 50 and 60 kilometres a week. By February she will be swimming 70km a week.

In addition to her swimming programme, Hannah takes part in daily high intense interval training at Dunedin gym F45 Dunedin CBD Studio. The training consisted of cardio and strength-based workouts, gym owner Sam Rosenburg said.

'She's incredibly dedicated … works so hard.

'We're super proud of her [swimming Foveaux Strait] and 100 per cent behind her.'

Training in and out of the water will continue through the holidays to keep her progress on track for the Foveaux Strait swim.

'I might do a 10k swim in Foveaux Strait close to the event in January to get a feel for it,' Hannah said.

She could also enter the New Zealand Open Water Championships on Lake Taupo on January 12-13 as another stepping-stone to the Foveaux Strait crossing.

Hannah's plans for after the crossing attempt include competing in the swimming section of the Wanaka Challenge on February 16.

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, is operating.

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Foveaux Strait Swim

Eight people have officially swum from Stewart Island to Bluff or vice versa. They are:

Chloe Harris: February 1, 2016 - 8hr 30min

Wayne Evans: February 9, 2013 - 9hr 20min

Todd Utteridge: February 15, 1989 - 8hr 40min

Sandra Blewett: February 11, 1988 - 12hr 5min

Michael Quinlivan: February 13, 1985 - 9hr 41min

Belinda Shields: March 24, 1984 - 9hr 53min

Meda McKenzie: March 20, 1979 - 14hr

John van Leeuwen: February 7, 1963 - 13hr 36min