Gisborne kaumātua group ‘Walk the 35’ as part of challenge at Kiwa Pools

The Still Kicking It group of kaumātua during a recent session at Kiwa Pools: Joe Montgomery (left), Uncle Blackie, Amy O'Connell, Deborah Cotter-Smith, Paul Dewes, Jessie Richardson (centre), Kass Rosewarne, Basil Morgan and lifeguard Ngahuia Riddell.

A group of “strangers” have become “a whānau” through a shared kaupapa in Gisborne’s Kiwa Pools as part of the Swim The Distance challenge.

What started out as a health initiative last year for the kaumātua now known collectively as Still Kicking It has blossomed into much more.

“We’re whānau now,” crew member Jessie Richardson said in a Gisborne District Council media release. “It goes beyond the pool.”

The dedicated group walked the width of the learn-to-swim pool every morning as part of this year’s Swim the Distance challenge, which involves completing the 45.5-kilometre distance from Gisborne to Mahia over a two-month period.

Inspired by the 2024 challenge, the group, aged between 49 and 85, created their own more attainable version this year.

They called it “Walk the 35″ – a homage to State Highway 35.

The group dubbed themselves Still Kicking It because they felt it perfectly captured their spirit and determination.

Many of them started for the physical benefits, some building so much more strength that even their physios have noticed the difference and asked for their secret.

One participant who had extreme difficulty walking, and at first needed to enter the pool via the ramp, can now climb down the ladder into the pool.

The group members have formed a close bond.

“When we started this over a year ago, we were strangers, but on the same kaupapa,” Richardson said.

“Now we’re there for each other, helping with trips to the doctors, keeping in touch and reaching out when someone doesn’t show up.”

The tight-knit crew members have extended their connection beyond morning walks and pool sessions, gathering for lunch on Fridays at the Gisborne RSA.

They also “adopted” pool lifeguard Ngahuia Riddell as their honorary “moko” (grandchild), embracing her as part of their extended family.

“Ngahuia’s dedication to the group exemplifies the spirit of manaakitanga that has developed,” Richardson said.

Along with measuring and keeping a logbook for the group, she also prepared certificates and organised donated prizes presented at a prizegiving ceremony at Morere Hot Springs.

A Kiwa Pools spokesperson said the group’s story was a testament to the power of community spaces like the pools to foster connection, support wellbeing and create lasting bonds that extended far beyond their original purpose.