A community of more than 200 South Island swimmers are hoping to float and freestyle their way across every lake in the South Island.

The Southern Lakes Swimming Club (SLSC) believes the ‘dream’ to swim in all of the South Island’s 344 named lakes to be ‘near impossible’. But it has set the challenge for its club members.

Otago’s Liana Smith is participating and will combine it with her passion for hiking to reach the more remote lakes on the list. Recently she plunged into Lake Unknown in Mt Aspiring National Park, which she reached after three days of solo climbing and scree-slope navigating. She’s no stranger to tough physical challenges. Last year she completed the ‘triple crown’ of New Zealand swims – Lake Taupo (40.2km), Cook Strait (22km) and Foveaux Strait (28km). Only seven other people have done this.

What prompted you to swim all these lakes?

While I’m an avid tramper, I’m a swimmer at heart. The SLSC established the Lake Attack Aotearoa Challenge 2023, encouraging people to get into any of the 344 South Island lakes before winter – safely and within their limits, of course. The challenge is my ultimate collaboration. They’re aiming to promote anyone and everyone to simply get out in whatever lake they can, and just enjoy it how they wish for a minimum of 10 minutes. Swimming, dipping or even just floating, all count.

Has there been a highlight swim so far?

Lake Unknown has been on my adventures list for a fair while now and the stars aligned to tick it off. Hopefully I’ll head down to Fiordland soon and into the hills for more epic swims.

How many people are getting involved?

There are a couple of hundred followers on the ‘Lake Attack’ Facebook page where folk have been recording some of their swims to keep each other inspired. Hopefully, as the weather keeps warming up, more folk will get out there and enjoy some beautiful lakes in their backyards.