Last year, The Edge Breakfast's Meg Mansell wrote an article celebrating the beauty of the ‘Mum Tum’. That piece sparked a movement, encouraging those who avoid swimming due to a lack of body confidence to reclaim their time in the water this summer.
“How many women, specifically, I’m talking to you, have gone in the water this summer? In public places,” Meg asked on air. “I think there are a lot of people that sit on the sidelines or don’t go, because of being nervous of their body being in public,” she added.
The response was overwhelming - messages flooded in from people sharing how uncomfortable they felt getting into togs and how long it’d been since they last swam in front of people.
“I've missed out on so much fun in the summer all because of how I look," one gal told us.
"Even when I was tiny I was so embarrassed by my huge stretch marks (not from pregnancy) and being a hairy girl.”
Another said: “OMG Meg I am exactly the same! The amount of summer swimming I've missed due to my curves.”
Realising how many Kiwis are negatively impacted in this way, The Edge Breakfast team decided to take action.
They’re organising a day for anyone who wants to join - a chance for people to step into the water together without fear or judgment.
“This isn’t just about a certain size,” Meg continued.
“I have a friend who looks like society’s idea of perfection, and even they are self-conscious. It’s all in our heads - no matter what you look like, it’s a personal thing.”
With that in mind, a date for the first ever 'Not Another Summer' swim has officially been set. We have multiple swims happening across the country so everyone can join!
Auckland: February 14th at 4 PM at Narrowneck Beach
Wellington: February 14th, time TBC, at Oriental Bay.
Taranaki: Febuary 14th, (time TBC), at Ngamotu Beach.
Over 250 people have already joined the Facebook group to take part, and if this sounds like something you’d like to be part of, you can too.
