One of New Zealand's best long distance female swimmers, Masterton-born Kirsten Cameron, will tackle her longest swim challenge when she competes in the Fiji Swims 19km Westin Island Resort and Spa Denarau to Beachcomber Island race on August 23.
A member of the Masterton Masters swim group, Cameron began competitive
swimming at the age of 30. She is a world record holder in Masters swimming in both the 30-34yrs and 35-39yrs age groups and she was the 2009 national champion for the women's 10km open water swim.
Like all goal-oriented athletes, Cameron has undertaken an arduous training programme in readiness for her Fiji excursion.
Together with her boyfriend support paddler she has been covering up to 60km a week and hopes to complete this event in around 4hrs 30mins.
The Fiji Swims is no stranger to competitive New Zealand swimmers. In 2011, Christchurch-born Louise Stevenson completed a double crossing from Denarau to Beachcomber Island in 9hrs 45mins to raise funds for Christchurch earthquake victims.
