Cool way to begin season

With fresh snow on the mountains and the lake topped up with heavy overnight rain, conditions were fresh for the Wanaka Lake Swimmers Club season opener on Sunday.

Club president Camille Gulick (pictured) was one of the 63 taking part who was not wearing a wetsuit and said the water was "freezing''.

With plans to compete in events where wetsuits are not allowed, Ms Gulick has adopted a sans wetsuit approach for the summer.

The club will begin using its new building on the lake shore, complete with hot showers, next month.