Ocean swim helps keep rescue helicopter afloat - Stuff

A Hauraki Gulf charity swim has raised $115,000 for the Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter service, far ahead of previous amounts raised.

In the Chopper Swim Challenge on March 26, 75 swimmers tackled the 20km route from Matiatia Bay on Waiheke Island to Mechanics Bay in Auckland.

The total raised was well ahead of the total from two previous events, which raised $82,000 combined.

Three women achieved the quickest times among the solo swimmers - Rebecca Clarke, who finished in five hours and four minutes, Rebecca Hollingsworth and Bronwen Burmester.

The fastest among the 15 teams was Team Wells - including Rick Wells, John Fulton, Geoff Evison, and Richard Hart - which finished in four hours and 18 minutes.

Team Chopper Squad was second and Winging It came third.

Team Kirwan, consisting of John Kirwan and Adam Clark swimming 10 kilometres each, completed the challenge in five and a half hours.

Carys Templer, 25, was part of a team of six Whale Huggers from Waiheke Island, who completed the swim in relay style.

"It was inspirational to be at the start line with people who were swimming the whole way.

"One woman was 67 and she did it on her own, it was just incredible," Templer said.

She is "definitely keen" to participate in the swim again next year, possibly taking on half the distance and working towards completing the full 20 kilometres.

Event organiser Olaf Adam said conditions were "near perfect" and all swimmers made it across.

"I ambitiously hoped swimmers would raise over $80k a few weeks ago so $115,000 is an outstanding result," Adam said.