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Wanaka swimmer Fi Fairbairn to tackle 46km challenge again, raising money for charity

She fell short of completing the Lake Wanaka swim in March, 2018 with hypothermia forcing her to pull out.

Wanaka swimmer Fi Fairbairn is set to tackle a 46km swim challenge again after falling short of completing the task in March.

The 49-year-old attempted swimming Lake Wanaka in March, but had to exit the water after 12 hours and 37km into the course after becoming delirious and suffered hypothermia.

"When I got in it was about eight degrees up in Makaroroa," said Fairbairn.

"I hadn't realised that after about three hours the wetsuit I was wearing tore under the arms."

Her support crew included her son Finn made the tough decision to pull her out after fearing for her health and safety.

For five months Fi hasn’t swam at all but she is back in the water, determined to try again for her late husband Daryl who committed suicide in 2004.

Finn was just seven, his grief counselling was subsidised so swim teacher Fi set up a charity (The Darryl Fairbairn Trust) to help kids get similar support in Wanaka.

"I just want everybody to be able to access the help without worrying about where the money's going to come from."

She has raised over $25,000 from various swimming challenges.

Fi will be attempting to swim the 46km Lake Wanaka course again next month.

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