Alison honours father’s legacy with a 20km swim for Coastguard

Auckland, 16 July 2024 – Lifelong swimmer Alison Knowles from Auckland is diving into The Big Swim this month to raise funds for Coastguard. Inspired by her family’s strong connection with Coastguard, Alison is swimming 20km to support the volunteers who dedicate countless hours to keeping Kiwis safe on the water. 

Growing up, Alison’s family holidays were often spent on the Hauraki Gulf. "Mum and Dad’s idea of relaxation was taking four kids to Great Barrier on a 24-foot Mason Clipper trailer boat," Alison recalls. “The only way to escape the crowded chaos was to jump overboard and swim ashore." 

Her father's active involvement with Coastguard in the 1970s deeply influenced Alison's decision to support the organisation. "As a child, Coastguard was a huge part of my father’s life. He would spend a lot of time on the water and made many friends through his volunteering work.” Alison shares. This inspired me to support them through The Big Swim, combining my love for swimming with a cause that has been a significant part of my family’s life." 

However, The Big Swim isn't the only challenge on Alison's mind. She currently trains twice a week at Next Gen gym and is preparing for the Bosphorus swim in Turkey on 25 August, a 6.5km challenge crossing from Asia to Europe. “Swimming isn’t just a sport for me. It’s a way to connect with nature, clear my mind, and build lasting friendships,” Alison says. “It has helped me stay disciplined and focused, overcoming personal challenges and staying positive.” 

The Big Swim has kicked off with more than 1,200 enthusiastic swimmers pledging to cover 15,000km, the length of New Zealand’s coastline, to raise funds for Coastguard. The funds will help train and equip Coastguard’s 2,000+ volunteers and maintain 106 rescue vessels across 63 units. 

Inspired by Alison's story? Visit https://bigswim.org.nz/alison to support her fundraising efforts or to learn more visit bigswim.org.nz. 

ENDS

For more information, contact:
Ben Parsons
Coastguard Tautiaki Moana Senior Communications Advisor
[email protected]