Ōpōtiki swimmers Marijke Boers, Medz Leeder, and Tessa Theodore were among 25 swimmers and paddleboarders, including from Ōhope and Whakatāne, in the Swim for World Peace over the weekend, bringing together people from all over the Eastern Bay.

Gathering at Ōhope Beach on Saturday morning, the Eastern Bay group became the first participants in the world to enter the water for the initiative because of New Zealand’s time zone and were later joined by participants from 18 other countries in a symbolic show of peace, unity and hope.

Event organiser Anne Bulley said the turnout exceeded expectations, with swimmers, paddleboarders and cold-water plungers all taking part. Together, the group covered a combined distance of 34 kilometres.

“Everyone was motivated by the same hope, that our collective action might help create a ripple of change across the world,” Bulley said.

The Swim for Peace movement encourages people around the world to enter the water as a symbol of fraternity, compassion and connection across borders.

Bulley shared photos and details of the swim with her friend and colleague Ahmad, who is based in Gaza and works to provide safe drinking water to families displaced by conflict. She said he was deeply moved by the efforts of those taking part in the Eastern Bay event.

According to Bulley, Ahmad said the dedication of the swimmers brought tears to his eyes.

“This was a reminder that there are still people in this world who genuinely show up for peace, not because they have to, but because they care,” he said.

He added that life in Gaza could sometimes make the world feel small, but seeing acts of kindness from people on the other side of the globe reminded him of the connections that still exist.

“Life in Gaza can make the world feel very small sometimes. Then I see something like this happening on a beach in New Zealand, and I’m reminded that kindness travels much further than we think.”

Bulley said the message behind the event could be summed up in a simple hope.

“May our actions create a wave of change across the world.”