Welcome to A Marathon Swim for Christchurch

A Marathon Swim for Christchurch

PAGE CREATOR:	Louise Stevenson
EVENT:	Beachcomber Island Swim
EVENT DATE:	24/08/2011

Thanks for visiting my fundraising page.

On August 24th 2011, I will be swimming between 2 islands in Fiji in the South Pacific. Denarau Island to Beachcomber Island and then back to Denarau. A swim totalling approximately 40km which will see me in the water from anywhere between 10-12 hours. An ultra-endurance swim!

Originally from Christchurch, New Zealand, I moved to Australia in 2007 where I started competing in small ocean races around Sydney. Placing in my age, I thought, if I trained, I wonder how well could I go. Since then, I have raced in the Rottnest Channel Swim (19.7km), taking female line honours two years running (2010 and 2011), as well as the Fiji Beachcomber swim in 2010 (one way!) and numerous other shorter distance open ocean swimming races.

So I guess you could say long distance swimming is my passion, one of my true love's and as a result it has brought me to my next challenge!

Christchurch is an epi centre for earthquakes, experiencing over 14,000 quakes a year caused by movements in the Pacific and Australian Plate. I can remember a couple of minor quakes growing up, but nothing in comparison to the most devastating earthquakes, that have all happened in the last year.
I can not imagine the trauma Christchurch (my hometown) has experienced and are still going through. Homes and businesses have been destroyed. But most importantly, families have lost loved ones. My family and friends have lost loved ones, and their possessions.
The strength of character Christchurch residents have shown, is inspiring. Drawing on this strength will help me complete by ultra-endurance swim.

To help support the Christchurch community, please help me raise funds by giving a little to these people who have lost so much.

Select the 'Make a donation' button below. It's simple, fast and totally secure.

Many thanks for your support!

Louise Stevenson
Endurance Swimmer (warm water only!)

My Online Sponsors To Date
DATE	NAME	AMOUNT	COMMENT
27/09/2011	Iain Bennett	$100.00	Well Done.
12/09/2011	Courtney	$25.00	Well done Lou!
01/09/2011	Fred	$125.00
29/08/2011	annie p	$25.00	Hi Louise, I took part in the relay swim last year and only swam about a 6th of the way as part of a team, so I'm in awe that you are doing it (or have done it by now, there and back). Well done! Annie P (icebergs)
25/08/2011	Graeme & Helen Barr	$100.00	Well Done Lou, very proud of you
25/08/2011	Sloane Family	$25.00	How lucky the people of Christchurch are to have a Lou in there lives…. may there be many more.. Speedy recovery to you all.. Sloane Family
24/08/2011	Dekka	$60.00	Just wanted to make sure you got there. Need a refund on the sharks I put in the water as they were clearly defective. Thanks for Shouldering the load for a great cause
24/08/2011	'Aunty' Sarah Koen	$40.00	Congratulations! Amazing effort - I am inspired to go to swim squad tonight!
24/08/2011	JJ	$50.00
24/08/2011	Scott Norrish	$100.00	I went for a coffee instead of training this morning - just thought you would want to know that
24/08/2011	Dr Spot	$63.30	Nutter....
24/08/2011	Ruby & Lynne	$25.00	We are supporting you from afar and thinking of you today. Go for it!!You are crazy:-)
24/08/2011	Karo and Benny	$60.00	Sending all of our support for a momentous swim for Christchurch.
23/08/2011	Blinky	$50.00	GO LOU LOU CHA CHA CHA!!
23/08/2011	Nez	$30.00
23/08/2011	Dom	$50.00	Good work Lou! Enjoy.
23/08/2011	Keeley Family	$100.00	Having had another shake last night we acknowledge and appreciate your efforts. Go the SeaDragon!
23/08/2011	Mel	$50.00	So proud of you its awesome to see you supporting our home town!!!!
22/08/2011	Mum, Dad, Kate, Tane, David	$500.00	"The five S's of swimming are stamina, speed, strength, skill, and spirit; but the greatest of these is spirit. You have all of these. YOU GO GIRL!! and fly the Canterbury Flag.
22/08/2011	Griffo	$60.00
22/08/2011	Claudette Wadsworth	$100.00	Go Girl!!!
22/08/2011	Moose	$50.00	Good Luck Louise...keep away from Neil while you're up there.
22/08/2011	Simon Dance	$50.00	Go Louise! Awesome effort
22/08/2011	Emma Starritt	$100.00	Nail it Lou!
22/08/2011	Chris Gorman	$100.00	Go you good thing
21/08/2011	Bondi Surf Lifesaving Club	$200.00
21/08/2011	Cyril	$60.00
19/08/2011	jamesgos	$30.00	Babewatch
19/08/2011	Evan J Williams	$25.00	Best of luck for the big swim - Your new name is now Louise "the super fish" - Enjoy it, Ev.
19/08/2011	Richard Pain	$200.00	You go girl!
18/08/2011	Clement Family	$100.00	Our spirit will be with you on 24th! Go woman go!
18/08/2011	Marita	$25.00	You're a machine Louise. Good on ya chica!
17/08/2011	Dori & Nick	$60.00	Good luck!
17/08/2011	Brie-arn - City Tatts Cheetahs	$50.00	Absolutely unbelievable - live the dream!
17/08/2011	Pip & Hugh	$100.00
17/08/2011	Kirsty	$100.00	Good luck Louise! I'll be wishing I was there with you all on the first lap, and then thinking you're just mad on the second :-) hope it goes well!
16/08/2011	Damien	$300.00	Louise, your contribution to society has been invaluable. Keep up the good work.
16/08/2011	Chloe & Paul	$50.00	Good Luck Lou! What you doing will help so many people who need it the most :) Have a great swim!! xx
16/08/2011	Luke Harris	$126.00
16/08/2011	Marty	$246.23
15/08/2011	Nicko Gay	$50.00	Stevo the Devo. Best of luck. Hope all goes to plan. Have fun!
15/08/2011	gary meyers	$50.00	Good job - Louise , you are a awesome athlete with a huge heart - Giddy -Up
14/08/2011	julian	$50.00	All the very best Louise
13/08/2011	Rozanne Green	$50.00	Good luck Bondi gal. Enjoy the warm waters. You are an inspiration!!!
12/08/2011	Tils	$20.00	Looking fwd 2 welcoming u back 2 society - tear it up woman!
12/08/2011	Smith Family	$200.00	Go to it girl, show them what Canterbury is made of.
11/08/2011	Keith - madds	$200.00	Go kiwi
11/08/2011	Mermaid	$50.00	awesome work Lou! I'll be sending you Meeeerrrrmaid cheers across the Pacific! Woo hoo!!! xx
11/08/2011	Sue Stevens	$100.00	Good Luck Louise what a wonderful goal and a worthy cause
11/08/2011	Paul	$50.00	Great excuse for a holiday!!
11/08/2011	The Miers Family	$50.00
11/08/2011	Vlad coach	$50.00	Good luck Lou
11/08/2011	Nate, Karen & Zac	$100.00	Good Luck Louise !! Need any more support crew?
11/08/2011	Snez Markovski	$50.00
11/08/2011	Lynt	$25.00
08/08/2011	Hannah Montana	$50.00	At least you won't need to dodge my feet every 400m! Have an amazing and don't get browner than me
08/08/2011	Tori Gorman	$75.00	Way to go Lou. Look forward to being there at the end as you finish this amazing goal!
08/08/2011	Dave Lovelace	$50.00	Good luck and best wishes with this great cause.
02/08/2011	Nico	$25.00	Best of Luck - will have a beer ready for you at the finish :-)
28/07/2011	Paul, Zan, Max & Lucinda Scales	$100.00	Great effort Lou!
26/07/2011	Tracy Ahern	$100.00	GOOD ON YOU !
22/07/2011	Melhuish	$150.00	Good luck Louise, am sure you'll romp it in!
22/07/2011	Bill Scales	$200.00	Good luck Lou
21/07/2011	Patrice	$200.00	What a mammoth challenge but I reckon you're the girl for the job. Good luck, Louise, and best wishes to Christchurch
20/07/2011	Mark & Mon	$130.00	Go you crazy thing !!
20/07/2011	Glenn, Beck, Finn & Lily Taylor	$25.00	A great cause. Good luck!
18/07/2011	Coleen Brennen	$50.00	Good Luck Lou!! Hope you reach your fund raising target!
18/07/2011	Lea Hill	$25.00	Hey Louise, I'll be able to cheer you on one-way, I'm swimming in a team Denarau to Beachcomber, see you there!
18/07/2011	Zubin	$75.00	What a wonderful gesture for a great cause! Good luck with the endeavour.
16/07/2011	Phil	$60.00	Good luck - will be an amazing achievement Louise!
16/07/2011	Amy Hurford	$100.00
15/07/2011	Stanley Spittle	$318.77	Louise, I can tell you that Vegemite sandwiches wrapped in foil & some chocolate will help get you to 34kms....beyond that I am sure you will, as always,make the swim a resounding success.
15/07/2011	Arjen Lugtenburg	$250.00
15/07/2011	Hemmo	$500.00	You ARE mad. Say hi to Bruce, Anchor and Chum!
15/07/2011	Louise Santos	$25.00	Bula bula. Good luck. Look after that shoulder and don't get one song stuck in yr head!
14/07/2011	Little Lochie	$25.00	Well done Lousie, I will be thinking of you. Happy to help with training
14/07/2011	Liliana	$35.00	You're an inspiration to us all!
13/07/2011	Sheppo	$150.00
08/07/2011	Chris Klaassen	$75.00	Giddyup Stevo - beats a day in the office :-)
08/07/2011	Ryan's feet	$50.00	Hi normally I would be just ahead of you guiding the way, but I will have to miss this one, I am attached to a very dodgy set of knees! Best of luck, will be a great accomplishment!
08/07/2011	Sid	$65.00	Have a great swim Lou in the warm waters of Fiji. Great cause, great effort.
08/07/2011	Sid	$65.00
07/07/2011	Doug	$100.00	good luck!
07/07/2011	Johnny	$25.00	Good cause Stevo. GO THE REDS
07/07/2011	Allerina	$25.00	Good Luck Louise! Great cause!
07/07/2011	Talbot	$100.00	Go Stevo!!!
07/07/2011	Ali Tabbouche	$150.00	Wow! Good luck!
07/07/2011	Gillian O'Mara	$100.00
07/07/2011	Razza	$100.00	Go Lou!
07/07/2011	Clarke Baldwin	$50.00	Super effort well done good luck
07/07/2011	Anne	$100.00
07/07/2011	Margi Blasi	$130.00	Mammoth task - great case. Good luck.
07/07/2011	ali newmarch	$100.00	good luck
07/07/2011	Joe D	$25.00	Amazing effort
07/07/2011	Anna E-J	$60.00	Go Stevo! What a challenge!
07/07/2011	Cameron Spittle	$250.00	Good work Stevo!
07/07/2011	Chucky	$20.00	Go Stevo!
07/07/2011	Damian	$25.00
06/07/2011	Tinky (Becci)	$25.00	Wonderful Laa Laa