A new record was set today (Sunday, February 23) for swimming the length of Lake Wanaka, from Makarora River outlet to Roys Bay Wanaka, by Cameron Stanley, who smashed the previous record by more than four hours.

The Wanaka Swim Club senior coach set off in calm conditions at 6:35am this morning and after swimming pretty much non-stop for 11 hours and 45 minutes came ashore at the Log Cabin in central Wanaka at 6:20pm this evening.

Cameron said he was really pleased with his achievement particularly as the lake was so cold at the start, around 12.5 degrees, and he thought he would only have a 50:50 chance of completing the challenge.

Cameron on his way to smashing the record for swimming the length of Lake Wanaka, supported in a kayak by swim club member Emily Heath. PHOTO: Supplied

“It was really cold at the beginning...then the sun came up and I started to thaw out a little bit and felt a bit better,” he said. “I was really lucky to have so many supporters on the boats and feeding me...and providing the motivation to keep going.”

“Now my main emotion is the joy to have finished,” he said.

Towards the end of the gruelling swim, Cameron was still averaging about 4km/h. PHOTO: Supplied

About 10 swim club members took turns swimming with him in calm conditions, while other club members, including fellow swim coach Belinda Donaldson, and parents with kayaks and boats provided on-the-water support. 

His swim today was “amazing”, Belinda said, averaging around 4km/h. “He held a consistent stroke rate all the way,” she said.

Although Cameron had been swimming 40-50km per week since November last year, today was the first time he had taken on such a long open water swim, Belinda said. 

A crowd of about 100 welcomed Cameron Stanley ashore at the Log Cabin at the end of his record breaking swim. PHOTO: Wanaka App

It was the challenge between Wanaka Lake Swimmers and Queenstown Lake Swimmers to collectively swim the perimeter of their respective lakes (which Wanaka won) which inspired Cameron to make the attempt, she said.

And now he has this swim under his belt he might be up for a new challenge - maybe swimming the length of Lake Taupo, he said.

Cameron at the end of swimming the length of Lake Wanaka PHOTO: Wanaka App

The previous record of about 16 hours was set by Wanaka swimmer Fi Fairbairn last year - the first to succeed at the challenge where others had failed.

The purpose of the challenge is to raise funds for the swim club, to contribute to travel expenses incurred by swimmers attending meets and for new equipment, as well as donations to local charities, such as Wanaka Search and Rescue and Wanaka Cat Rescue.

A givealittle page for donations will remain open until March 10.