Midwinter chill worth it for Jetta and Stevie

Two Belmont Primary School students are doing their part for ocean conservation, raising $5000 for an environmental foundation.

Eight-year-olds Jetta Webb and Stevie Reid love the ocean and decided to do something to protect it by last week participating in Live Ocean’s annual winter dip at Takapuna Beach.

Live Ocean is a foundation started by world-renowned sailors Peter Burling and Blair Tuke. It partners with organisations, scientists and other marine advocates to lobby for action in support of healthy oceans.

“It feels very important to me because I love spending time out in the ocean,” said Jetta. She worries “all of the creatures might become extinct and also the world wouldn’t look as beautiful as it is now” if action is not taken.

The girls made a promotional video that was shared online by Jetta’s mother, Charlotte Parkhill.

They also gave a speech at a school assembly, which motivated around 30 other students to join them on their winter challenge.

Jetta said she was “excited, nervous and scared all at the same time,” but those feelings disappeared once in the water. Most of the participants stayed in much longer than the 30-second minimum plunge time.