Special Olympics New Zealand and Waitākere Club athlete Joshua (Vegar) has completed some tough open water swims. He’s crossed Lake Taupō, completed the Auckland Triple Crown, and regularly competes in pool and ocean swimming events around Auckland.
Those achievements grew from opportunities that began when Joshua joined Special Olympics New Zealand’s Waitākere Club as an eight-year-old.
Finding a Place to Participate and Belong
Like many families, Rhonda was looking for a place where her son could participate, build confidence, and be part of a community.
“Mainstream sport wasn’t really his thing,” says Rhonda.
Through Waitākere Club, Joshua was introduced to different sports and activities, giving him the chance to develop skills, make connections, and discover what he enjoyed. He began playing football and later took part in pool swimming.
Discovering a Passion for Open Water Swimming
When Joshua was around 17 years old, Special Olympics New Zealand’s North Harbour Club invited him to join their ocean swimming group.
Starting with shorter distances of one to two kilometres, Joshua gradually built his confidence and endurance. Before long, he was taking part in organised ocean swim events and challenging himself to go further.
Today, Joshua is part of the Waitākere/North Harbour Seal Team alongside fellow Waitakere Club athlete Eva, and North Harbour Club athletes Tate and Troy. Together, they train throughout the year and take part in ocean swim and beach swim events on a regular basis.
For Rhonda, one of the most rewarding parts of Joshua’s swimming journey has been seeing what the sport gives him beyond competition.
Kayaking alongside him during longer swims, she sees him settle into his own rhythm.
“He enjoys the peace and solitude out on the ocean,” she says. “He can just be with himself.”
Swimming has become an important part of Joshua’s routine and gives him a reason to get out, stay active, and spend time with others who enjoy the sport.
“If it wasn’t for swimming, he’d probably be sitting at home on his computer,” Rhonda says.
Instead, he spends time training, competing, and setting new goals for himself.
Over time, Joshua has continued to take on new swimming opportunities and experiences.
He is one of only three athletes to complete the Auckland Triple Crown of open water swimming, and the youngest and only male athlete to do so. He has also completed a 30-kilometre crossing (west to east) of Lake Taupō and competes in Masters swimming alongside athletes from the wider community.
At the 2025 National Summer Games in Christchurch, Joshua was among the first athletes to dive into the pool at the newly opened Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre, earning a silver medal in the 800-metre freestyle.
Rhonda is incredibly proud of what Joshua has achieved and what swimming has given him.
A Swimmer Is a Swimmer
“What I love about Special Olympics is that a swimmer is a swimmer,” she says.
“It’s a level playing field. Athletes have the opportunity to compete, be recognised for what they can do, and challenge themselves.”
That recognition means a lot to Joshua.
Whether it’s a local ocean swim, a swimming competition, or a Masters event, Rhonda says he enjoys seeing what he has achieved and always has a big smile on his face.
At Waitākere Club, athletes are also quick to celebrate one another’s achievements, offering encouragement, congratulations and plenty of high fives along the way.
But that doesn’t mean they aren’t competitive.
As the Special Olympics Athlete Oath says:
“Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”
“They absolutely want to win,” Rhonda laughs.
At the 2025 National Summer Games, Waitākere athletes combined with Auckland Club to form a football team that played nine games across two days and proudly took home gold.
For Rhonda, experiences like these are why opportunities through sport matter.
“These athletes deserve to be out there playing sport,” she says. “It’s no different to anyone else. They deserve the opportunity to participate and be involved.”
Creating Opportunities Through Polar Plunge
That’s why Joshua and Waitākere Club are taking part in this year’s Law Enforcement Torch Run Polar Plunge.
Every dollar raised helps create sporting opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities across Aotearoa New Zealand and supports clubs like Waitākere to provide opportunities for their athletes.
This year, Waitākere Club hopes to reintroduce athletics to their club and host a Have a Go Day for athletics, to give their athletes the chance to try new events and discover new interests. The club is fundraising to acquire new equipment such as javelins and shot puts to help make those opportunities possible.
“Even one of each would be a start,” says Rhonda.
For anyone considering taking part in the Polar Plunge, Rhonda has a simple message.
“Get involved,” says Rhonda. “These opportunities make such a difference.”
Afterall, the cold lasts a minute. The impact lasts a lifetime.
Take the Plunge. Create Opportunities.
Every dollar raised through the Law Enforcement Torch Run Polar Plunge helps create sporting opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities across Aotearoa New Zealand.
For clubs like Waitākere, that means helping athletes discover new sports, build confidence, stay active, and create opportunities that can open new lanes.
❄️ Take the Plunge
💙 Support inclusion
🏃 Help create opportunities that change lives