About 20 paddleboarders and kayakers made their way from Careys Bay to Deborah Bay yesterday, in an annual event organised by Watercooled Sports for Mental Health Awareness Week.
Organiser Craig Latta said he was pleased with how the event went, despite the cold and windy weather.
In keeping with the national theme of the week, "Let nature in", the group was followed to and from Deborah Bay by a large fur seal.
"It was the weirdest thing I’ve ever seen," Mr Latta said.
Otago Mental Health Trust chairwoman Marian Hobbs spoke to the group, covering "a few nice things about mental health, and how to take care of yourself".
Nearly 100 people participated in a Wellness Walk-Fun Run on Saturday, organised by the Wellness Walkers Trust, the Life Matters Suicide Prevention Trust, and WellSouth.
Life Matters Suicide Prevention Trust chairwoman Corinda Taylor said the trust’s mascot, Spook the Great Dane, took part in the walk.
The event, which started with a warm-up Zumba class, was designed to promote engagement with Dunedin’s natural beauty, as well as to get people physically active.
It had the added benefit of bringing together people who would not otherwise have met, Ms Taylor said. About 30 volunteers were present to ensure the event ran smoothly.
A bike ride, "Pedal for your peace of mind", organised by Critical Mass and Spokes Dunedin also took place yesterday morning.
