Stand up paddling from Motiti Island to his home at the end of Papamoa Beach has been a challenge on Jimmy Dow's horizon for some time now.

A keen surfer and dirt biker, the solo thrill of an exciting challenge always gets Jimmy's pulse racing.

So while he was happy to take on the challenge as a personal pilgrimage, the chance to raise money for a good cause just made perfect sense.

'I have been wanting to paddle to or from Motiti, for some weird reason, for a long time,” explains Jimmy. 'Then I thought: ‘if I am going to do it, I might as well do it for a fundraiser'.”

With four kids of his own, Jimmy has chosen to raise funds for the non-profit Wairakei Kindergarten in Papamoa.

They hope to use the funds raised to improve their outdoor area and playground. That includes the planting of yellow Pohutukawa trees which, coincidentally, originate on Motiti Island.

So far, there is no date set for the paddle as Jimmy admits he is a slave to the elements, which will dictate when he can give it a nudge.

'I just need a weather opportunity,” he admits. 'I would like to do it at the end of March. I just need the weather, the wind, the swell and all that stuff on my side.”

He will be dropped off at Motiti then begin the paddle back to home shores.

'To be honest, I actually wanted to paddle there and back, but I just wasn't get the training in with work and family commitments.

'I have probably been surfing and riding my dirt bike too much to get on my paddleboard,” he jokes.

Thankfully, considering his self-confessed lack of training, he will not be alone.

'The point is I want to do it because I like that whole solo mission. But my missus won't let me do it on my own.

'We are going to have my mate on a jet ski and the old man in a boat, with my wife and kids following me… at a distance.”

As for how long it will take, Jimmy admits to being somewhat in the dark. But the one thing he does promise is to complete the challenge.

'I don't actually know how far it is. I don't even really know how long it is going to take.

'I just know my head is way tougher than my body, so I will make it. I have to now,” Jimmy laughs, whilst hoping for a little help from the ocean.

'If I get a little 10-knot northerly swell on the way home, that will be mint. I'll cruise it.”

For more details or to donate, visit Jimmy's Givealittle page, Motiti Island Mission - Jimmy's Paddle Home.