Soap Box Derby replaced by Swimarathon event

After a decade running the Soap Box Derby on the Hibiscus Coast, Whangaparaoa Rotary has called it quits, opting instead to start up a new event this summer.

Rotary Area 3 Assistant Governor Sarah Carr says the cost of running the trolley derby kept going up.
“Last year saw a huge increase in barrier costs, essential for safety,” she says. “Despite that, the last event still raised $14,000 which went back into the local community but the committee felt the time had come to move on.”

A search for another organisation to take on the running of the Soap Box Derby proved fruitless.

Sarah says that Whangaparaoa Rotary raised in excess of $55,000 over 10 years of holding the derby, which was donated to local charities. The event involved schools, clubs and others in trolley racing and gained great support from groups such as the No 5 Squadron Air Training Corps who became an integral part of the event management.

With the derby gone, Whangaparaoa Rotary is teaming up with Orewa Rotary and Orewa/Millwater Satellite to run a new event, the Hibiscus Coast Rotary Swimarathon.

Sarah says this event is also designed to involve the whole community, young and old, as well as those with special needs.

Rotary Swimarathon was started by Grantham Rotary in the UK in 1990 to raise money for local charities. Local Rotarian Brian Mullan was involved with the event in Grantham and has long been keen to bring it to the Coast.

The Rotary Swimarathon went global in 2012 when a world record was set; 4546 swimmers swam 100m simultaneously around 64 locations across the world – the record still stands.

The new Hibiscus Coast Rotary Swimarathon will be held on Sunday, March 18 at the Stanmore Bay Pool and Leisure Centre, which has donated its services.

Funds raised at the inaugural event will go to Youth in Transition and Hibiscus Coast Youth Centre, however Rotary will also put the call out for other non-profit services who would like to receive support and be part of this event.

Each entry consists of a team of six swimmers who find sponsors and race to swim as many laps as they can in 55 minutes. There will be room for 49 teams to take part. Interest should be registered as early as possible with Theo Simeonides, theo@uprotectnz.com, phone 027 248 9320 or Sarah Carr, sarahcarr.rotary@gmail.com, phone 021 428 037.
Info: www.rotaryswimarathon.org