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One lucky competition winner had the chance to ride in an offshore powerboat in Tauranga on Friday, ahead of the final race of the 2012 New Zealand Offshore Powerboat Series today.
Gary Baker, who won the once in a lifetime opportunity through the @Heart BOP, is raising funds for this year’s Heart Stopper Challenge.
Along with team owner Scott Lewis, Gary reached speeds of 114mph in the Schick Hydro Racing powerboat.
Heartstopper Challenge spokesperson Stu Watson says Gary is a huge fan of the powerboat scene and says it’s an awesome opportunity.
Shick Hydro Racing has carried the @Heart logo for this year’s season of racing.
It’s been so great to have their support, says Stu.
The BOP Heart Stopper Challenge will take place in two weeks’ time.
Running for close to ten years, the challenge involves people plunging themselves into ice cold water for five minutes.
Every year in New Zealand about 450 open heart surgeries are performed on children – some of these are babies in their first days of life.
The inspiration for the ice cold plunge comes from the fact that during the surgery a child’s chest cavity can be filled with an icy slush to slow the heart rate and metabolism, giving the surgeon a longer window of operating time.
The Heart Stopper Challenge has been a very successful fundraising event in years gone by and a great team building event, says Stu.
AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd’s local restaurant Phil’s Place is the major sponsor behind today’s final race.
Phil says he’s looking forward to some exciting racing today.
“This is the second event we have sponsored, it’s a great way to bring interest to the town and give back to our community.
“Good luck to everyone racing.”
Stu says there will be entertainment for the kids at Sulphur Point today, so it’s a great opportunity for the whole family to have some fun.
“All the money raised here stays in Tauranga.
“It’s definitely worth bringing your family down.”
If you want to enter the Heart Stopper Challenge or donate to the cause, visit www.heartstopper.org.nz
Photos from race day: Daniel Hines
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