Summer swim spot competitions open

Following the success of last year’s competition, Horizons Regional Council are running a second ‘Spruce up your Swim Spot’ competition, as part of their ‘Summer Swim Spots’ campaign.

Horizons chair Bruce Gordon says the public were asked which swim spots were their favourite, with eight finalists to be voted to win the spruce up.
 
The eight finalists are:

• Ōhau River at Gladstone Reserve
• Tokomaru River at Horseshoe Bend
• Pohangina River at Raumai Reserve
• Manawatū River at Hopelands
• Rangitīkei River at Mangaweka
• Rangitīkei River at Vinegar Hill
• Whanganui River at Cherry Grove
• Lake Wiritoa

 
“Votes for your favourite spot can be done through a Facebook poll available on Horizons Facebook page (http://bit.ly/2Eu8RqY), with the competition closing on 25 March,” says Mr Gordon.
 
Last year’s winner of the ‘spruce up’ was Mosquito Point in Whanganui, which trumped 11 other sites across the region to win with a total of 450 votes.
 
“The site has received a new changing shed structure, improved access to the Whanganui River via steps, clearing of willows and vegetation, and new seating.”
 
Horizons are also running another competition #swiminourregion that askes the public to share photos of themselves enjoying the region’s waterways. By tagging the location and using the hashtag they’re in to win a water themed adventure package worth up to $1,500.
 
“It’s great getting to see our communities spending time enjoying our diverse rivers, lakes and beaches across the region.”
 
Last year’s #swiminourregion winner was Halcombe school teacher Di Simpson, whose photo was a perfectly timed shot of a student taking a dip in Cone Creek while on camp.
 
Ms Simpson spent her prize taking her class white water rafting down the Rangitīkei River at Mangaweka with Awastone Adventure Company.