Alumna to Tackle 27-Mile Swim Across New Zealand’s Lake Wānaka

Credit: Elie Babin

University of Denver alumna Livi Schmid is attempting to do something only five people in the world have done: swim 27 miles across the chilly Lake Wānaka in southern New Zealand.

As part of the challenge, the former collegiate swimmer is raising funds for WAI Wānaka, a local organization focused on freshwater conservation, and the Wanaka Swim Club, where she coached young swimmers. 

The two causes have been close to her heart since moving to New Zealand after graduation in 2022. Schmid is tentatively set to swim the weekend of Feb. 15, depending on weather and lake conditions. 

“I really wanted to find a way to give back to the community for everything they’ve given me,” she says. 

Schmid became involved with the Wanaka Swim Club shortly after moving to New Zealand. She applied to work there as a coach and met a few of the other coaches, including ex-marathon swimmers Belinda Donaldson and Cameron Stanley—who completed the 27-mile swim a few years ago.

Having stepped away from swimming after college, meeting the coaches and being part of the club helped reignite her love for the sport, Schmid says.

WAI Wānaka works closely with individuals, community groups, farmers, catchment groups, councils, schools and businesses to protect the area’s lakes.

“It's easy to see the lake and think that it's perfect, but it is declining. That's just quite a scary thought for me, especially because I have such a big connection to the lake—but also because it's the main water source for our whole community,” Schmid says.

Part of what makes the swim so unique are the conditions. Being a deep-water lake surrounded by the Southern Alps, the water temperatures tend to be quite cold, ranging from 10 to 20 degrees Celsius, or 50 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit. 

The distance is another hurdle for many swimmers, Schmid says, and it will be the longest swim of her career.

She plans to wear a wetsuit and will have two support boats, two kayakers and as many as three support swimmers in the water with her at various times throughout the day.

While she’s completed training largely on her own, she’s had support from Stanley and Donaldson and has been in contact with her former Denver coaches, including Associate Head Coach Mark McGuire, for advice and suggestions.

“I’m excited to do the whole swim at once and experience the lake in its entirety. I think that will be really special,” she says.

Those interested in supporting Schmid and her chosen causes can visit her fundraising page.