A local woman plans to swim the length of Lake Wānaka - 44km - to raise funds for freshwater conservation and the next generation of swimmers.

Wānaka Swim Club member and part-time coach Livi Schmid is tackling “the greatest challenge of my career” in the long-distance swim next month and she has already received donations towards her goal of raising $20,000, to be split equally between WAI Wānaka and the Wānaka Swim Club.

“Every contribution will help protect our freshwater resources and support the swim club’s work in developing young swimmers,” Livi said.

Livi chose to support those organisations “to shine a light” on the declining health of the lake and to inspire the next generations of swimmers to take on their own challenges.

Originally from the USA, Livi chose to make Wānaka home two years ago and it was while coaching at the club she discovered “a first sense of community” since moving to New Zealand.

She saw “firsthand the positive impact on local youth through the sport of swimming,” she said.

Although she’s swum since childhood, lake swimming is a relatively new experience.

Livi Schmid PHOTO: Elie Babin

“I started lake swimming for the first time last summer. It's been a challenge to learn the technique and battle unpredictable conditions,” she said. 

Livi said being able to talk to experienced lake swimmers such as Cameron Stanley, who set a record swimming Lake Wānaka in 2020, has been invaluable: “He's been a great mentor and given me a good idea of what the training entails.” 

Fitness training and swimming 40-plus kilometres in the lake each week is the basis to her preparation but it has been the mental challenge she has found “especially difficult”. 

She said handling full time work, fundraising, and publicity on top of training for this marathon effort “can feel overwhelming at times” but having the support of family and friends and causes she believes in keeps her going.

“I have been a swimmer my whole life, and I wanted to see if my body and mind could handle it. If not now, when?” the 24-year old said.  

On the day, Livi plans to have at least two support boats, two kayakers, and up to three support swimmers “who will get in and out of the water with me”.

“It takes a village to take on a challenge this size, and I'm so lucky to have mine.” 

Livi has established a Givealittle page for the ‘Liv to Swim’ event and she has already received $5,700 towards her goal: “I'm thrilled with the progress we've made so far, and if we can even reach half of the $20k goal, I will be ecstatic.”

Donations can be made here.  

The swim is scheduled for the weekend of February 15 - depending on weather and lake conditions.