Riding by sea for Melanoma awareness

Mount local Terry Boubee rode into Tauranga's Sulpher Point after travelling 700kms by sea. Photo/Andrew Warner

A distance of 700km of water has been traveled by jet skiers in an aim to fundraise and bring awareness for Melanoma New Zealand.

A group of 20 jet skiers finished the last leg of their long distance journey at Tauranga's Sulpher Point today.

Riders where from around the country but Bay locals Grant Nicholson from Papamoa, Russell Bailey from Tauranga and Terry Boubee from Mount Maunganui were among them.

This year's fundraiser was Terry Boubee's third Ski-NZ event.

"It's awesome. We're doing it for the Melanoma Foundation to raise awareness about Melanoma."

The riders traveled by sea from Napier stopping at Mahia, Gisborne, Tokomaru Bay, Waihau Bay, Ohope Beach via White Island before finishing in Tauranga.

It is not yet known how much money was raised in total as funds are still to be collected, however CEO Linda Flay said they were hoping to close in on the $96,000 that was raised last year.

"At the moment we're probably between the 50-60K mark."

"On the way where [riders] have stopped over night some of the locals have contributed and have really embraced what we've done and have been very interested."

Last year's jet ski fundraising group travelled around the tip of the South Island and 2013 saw them ride between Tauranga and the Bay of Islands.

Riders came across Cyclone Pam which forced them to lay over for a couple of days.

The degree of riders varied, some were more experienced than others and new riders came away learning more than they expected.

Mr Boubee said he would definitely do the fundraising event again next year.

"We're all riders here and we love being on the water. It's a good way of seeing New Zealand."