Melanoma survivor Jeremy Burfoot endured 6m swells, a close encounter with a shark and long stretches nursing a sore backside as he circumnavigated the country in 22 days on a jetski.
The 46-year-old Qantas pilot, and good friend Brad Burton, completed the journey yesterday afternoon when they arrived at the
Viaduct Harbour in Auckland.
"It was 20 per cent fun and 80 per cent pain, but worth the effort," Mr Burfoot said, having enjoyed a beer with family.
The pair decided to make the journey, spreading the Cancer Society's SunSafe message, after Mr Burfoot survived his second melanoma scare six months ago.
Their 4000km journey started in Auckland, headed up to Northland, down the west coast to Stewart Island, and back up the east coast. They averaged 50km/h on their jetskis, travelling about seven hours a day.
"On day three we saw a monster shark in the Kaipara Harbour. This huge fin was sticking half a metre out of the water.
"We took a close look at it - about 30 feet [9m] from it - and thought, 'That's probably too close', and took off.
"Then at Cape Reinga, there were 6m breaking swells, and we had to go into them for five hours. That was a 10-hour day.
"We felt exasperated at times, but failing was not an option."
Mr Burfoot is "stoked" at his achievement and is already planning the next adventure.
"Maybe a couple of four-wheeler bikes, putting a tent on the back and going bush. Something away from the water. We're sick of the sight of it."
