It’s a mind-boggling distance to row - from the shores of Makarora to the Wanaka lakefront at Roys Bay - but four local men are up for the challenge and plan to raise money for worthy causes along the way.

Locals Rob Taylor, Shane Gibson, Jaime Hutter and Mike Toepfer have together committed to the 45km journey, which they will complete in a quad scull rowing boat. 

The men have a fundraising goal of $10,000, and they plan to donate a quarter each to Upper Clutha Children's Medical Trust, Wanaka Food Bank, LANDSAR Wanaka and the Wanaka Rowing Club.

A date is yet to be set for the event but training is in full swing, Jaime told the Wanaka App.

“We’re trying to get out on the water together a couple of times a week, and we’ve been doing sessions on the indoor rowers, which are new to the Wanaka Rowing Club,” he said. 

Shane and Jamie completed the same row back in October 2017, but they’ve set themselves a new challenge for the four-person team.

“It took us just over four hours so it gave us the goal in doing it under four hours this time,” he said. 

The four men will complete the Cromwell to Clyde rowing race on Labour weekend as a bit of a test run. 

The length of the race is 18km, and there’s been talk amongst the group of doing it twice to prepare for the marathon Wanaka event. 

Once that event is over, the team will set a date for their event. 

“I’m more nervous about conditions than conditioning,” Jaime said, noting that even a light wind can have a big effect out on the water. 

Knowing they are helping raise money for local causes has been a big motivator for the team, he said.

Learn more or contribute to the Givealittle page for the event here.