Getting nude for breast cancer

Monica Evans and Cole Segalla demonstrate how the Nude Dude Swim will work on March 15.

If you like getting your kit off in the name of fun, you might like to make it worthwhile and raise some funds for Tauranga's Breast Cancer Support Service while you're at it.

The Nude Dude Swim will be held on March 15, with participants swimming 100m in the nude at an undisclosed Western Bay of Plenty beach.

You have to do a little work first, with minimum sponsorship of $300 required for an individual entrant and $1000 for a team of four.

Breast Cancer Support Service manager Helen Alice says the inspiration for the event came from the Sydney Skinny, with women who had mastectomies without reconstruction taking part and celebrating being alive.

'We are so lucky to have the bodies we have and it's wonderful to feel the sun and water on our skin as we bare all for breast cancer,” says Helen.

'It's about celebrating who we are, having fun and, most importantly, fundraising for the important work we do here.”

Participants must be over the age of 18 and will be provided with a sarong to wear to the water's edge. The swim will be at high tide on the evening on March 15 and be closed to the public.

Prizes will be up for grabs for the individual and team who raise the most money.

So far, 12 participants have signed up since the event was launched in November, including two teams, and Helen hopes the numbers will increase to at least 20.

'It's the first time we've done it,” she says, 'so it's going to be a stab in the dark when it comes to numbers, but we'd love to see more workplaces get together, or support one of their crew to take the plunge.”

Participant Peter Brown is no novice when it comes to skinny-dipping. The Tauranga insurance advisor joined a world record skinny-dipping attempt in Tauranga about five years ago, but this event will be a little closer to his heart.

'My mother was taken from us at a very young age with breast cancer,” explains Peter, 'and a male friend of mine had a double mastectomy at the age of 14 while at high school.”

Peter says he is no swimmer, so it will be all about having fun and raising awareness and vital funds for the charity.

Participant Adele Stent has never swum in the nude in her life, but as someone with several friends who have experienced breast cancer, she is willing to give it a go.

'I don't even go to the beach or own a bikini,” admits Adele. 'I'm picturing a mad dash for the water with coverage, a slow swim and a fast sprint back to coverage! It will be one of those slightly awkward moments that you grin and bear.”

To register for the Nude Dude Swim visit: www.breastcancerbop.org.nz and to sponsor any of the participants visit: givealittle.co.nz/event/nudedude2018/fundraisers

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