Gisborne-born Laura Quilter (32) claimed a new world record in the women’s 50m freestyle ice swimming yesterday in Alexandra.

She said she had been hunting down the record and was setting her sights on more including the 50m fly later in the day.

Watch Laura’s record setting swim here (in black NZL cap). VIDEO: The Central App

“I’m pretty happy, I thought I might get there . . . but the adrenaline always makes you go a bit faster."

Before now, the women’s 50m freestyle record was held by Ludivine Blanc, of France, with a time of 28.40 seconds set in February this year. 

Laura’s time was a blistering 27.56 seconds to complete two laps of Alexandra’s outdoor pool.

Laura competed for New Zealand at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014 and holds several masters records. 

Christchurch swimmers Hannah Drury and Wei Ping Chew were back for a second time at the Southern Hemisphere Ice Swimming Championships, which run until Saturday, July 13. 

Pictured (from left) Wei Ping Chew and Hannah Drury rugged up after their first swim. 

When The Central App spoke to them they had made it through their first event, and both had several more individual and team events to look forward to.

Hannah said Wednesday’s water temperature of 2.7 degrees Celsius felt a lot colder than the 5C she had more experience of completing ice swims in.

Kevin Hopkins, from Mount Maunganui’s Omanu Swim Club, was the oldest competitor at 69 and was building up to the 1km event, competing in shorter distances first. 

Kevin originally got into ice swimming helping out Te Puke swimmer Quinn Boyle and now he participates in events himself in pursuit of the “good feelings” that come from sports.

He said he was targeting completing the 1km swim in 23 minutes.

Kevin said his past participation in triathlon and ironman as well as having a rugby background meant he understood what it took to challenge himself. 

Clyde School students Alice, Rylie (both 7) and Zara Wing (10) were watching the action. 

New Zealand and Southern Hemisphere Ice Swimming Championships organiser Susan Sherwen was attempting a long-distance record on Wednesday afternoon, aiming to swim 3km and break her record of 2km in 40 minutes 52.85 seconds set at St Bathans last year. 

For an icy dip of this distance she thought she would be in the water for around an hour.

The cold foggy conditions were good for the water temperature needed for the record attempt, but Susan said she would be hoping for a clearer sky to look up at from the pool.  

On Friday, July 12, there is a 200m individual medley and New Zealand will be the first country to hold this race as it was recently added to the International Ice Swimming Association events.

Swimmers warm up under the watchful eye of support staff with hot drinks and chocolate biscuits. 

It’s free for spectators to attend the ice swimming champs at Alexandra Pool, but are urged to bring their gloves, winter coat and hat.

Stay tuned to The Central App for news on the rest of the event and local swimmers in the coming days.

Read more: Ice swimming championships return to Alexandra Pool