University of Canterbury
Christchurch, New Zealand
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- Alumnus Simon Olliver oldest New Zealander to swim The English Channel
Alumnus Simon Olliver oldest New Zealander to swim The English Channel
It’s never too late to pursue your dreams as alumnus Simon Olliver (1982-83) has found as he works his way through a series of open water swims. Last week Simon, age 51, became New Zealand’s oldest swimmer to cross The Channel between England and France, with nothing but his swim cap, goggles and his speedos.
The swim is 32km in a straight line but the tides made it 45km long and took Simon 11 hours 8 minutes. “It’s a pretty long way and I kept going by singing to myself. After six hours, fatigue set in and that’s the time that’s most dangerous in a long swim. Luckily I’d done a lot of preparation and I’m mentally tough, so I got over that hump. It sure was a good thing when I reached France though!”
Having been a swimmer from a young age, Simon eventually became bored with lap swimming and wanted to do more challenging swims. “In 2013 I swam Western Australia’s 19.7km Rottnest Channel, in 2014 I did Cook Strait and earlier this year I took on the challenge of Lake Taupo which was a 15 hour swim.”
What’s next for this Christchurch business consultant? “I’ve got my eye on California’s Catalina Channel for next year. In the meantime, I’ll continue my 6-day-a-week training At the Aqua Gym and in summer I’ll be back swimming in Lyttelton Harbour.”
Simon Olliver (Credit: Kirk Hargreaves/FairfaxNZ)
News Archive
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2018 Articles
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2017 Articles
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Alumna appointed chief economist of NZ's largest bank
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Take a bow, Rolly
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Recognition for Singapore alumnus, William Ng
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Enterprising alumnus
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Success for social entrepreneurs
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Auckland alumni & parents event
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Richard Adamson joins the College House Board
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Tim Bell to receive international award
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Death of Norman Hardie, QSO
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Death of Geoffrey Beadel
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Ripple effect of Student Volunteer Army
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A dinner of celebration
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College House in HOME Magazine
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New Zealand Heritage Listing for College House
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Alumni Reunion in Wellington
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College House introduces new Entrance Scholarships for 2018
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UC returns to Christchurch’s heart
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CH alumna's work exhibited as art returns to Centre
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Alumni happenings in UK
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College Art Collection Admired
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Congratulations to the 2017 Fresher Scholarship winners
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CH students in the 2016/17 Summer Start-up programme
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2016 Articles
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Success in entré’s $85K Challenge Competition
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Celebrating 50 years at Ilam
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George T Weston Scholarship Awarded for 2016
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Congratulations to George Ross
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In memory of Caitlin Ellen Waghorn
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Introducing our new Director of Development
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Basking in Reflected Glory
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CH architects win prestigious award for dining hall
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Returner Academic Scholarships Awarded
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Congratulations to our Fresher Scholarship Winners
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Dining Hall officially opened by Hon Gerry Brownlee
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First Ever Spotting of a Black Hole Collision
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Welcome to our 2016 Students
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New Year’s Honours for Two Alumni
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Anna Wilkes is Appointed New Chairman of College House
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2017 News Story
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2015 Articles
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Celebrating 25 Years of Women at College House
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Alumnus Simon Olliver oldest New Zealander to swim The English Channel
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Bradley Meredith becomes World Champion in Chinese language
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Candlelight Service and Principal's Induction
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Jono Brent takes up Summer Starter Challenge
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Alumnus Signs Tech Deal with Global Motor Manufacturer
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Alumnus voted vice president of World Farmers Organisation
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Alumnus appointed High Court Judge
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US Philanthropist and College House Alumnus Helps Fund New Building after Earthquake Damage
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Aftermath of Kathmandu by Returner student James Bayly
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New College House Principal Appointed
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Alumni help fight miscarriage of justice
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Scholarships galore for this year’s freshers
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Welcome to our 2015 students
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Sevens Fun with Seagulls
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CH alumni helping NZ athletes prepare for the Olympics
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Alumnus aims to improve NZ research
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Returner student travels to Israel and Palestine for study visit
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2014 Articles
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Seamus Woods Wins Major Law Award
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College House alumna awarded Silicon Valley internship
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Farewell to our Dean, David Leavy
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Project Loon Assisted by Alumnus
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Alumni in entré's $85k Challenge winners
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Alumna is youngest Travelling Finalist in this year’s Wallace Art Awards
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Alumni Live Below the Line for Poverty
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The First Walls Go Up!
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Angus Watson to Spend Summer in Antarctica
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Bridge Builders Extraordinaire
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CHSA President a Finalist in Entre App Challenge
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Election info now at voters’ fingertips
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CH alumnus elected new President of Federated Farmers
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Rebecca Gray wins Fulbright Scholarship to Princeton
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$10K Prize for Voting App
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The Roof is Off!
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Black Sticks Win Big with Alumnus Hat-Trick
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Artificial Intelligence Research
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Student Blog
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The Rebuild of Main Block Begins
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A Trip to Tanzania
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A Conversation with Sir Miles Warren
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A Summer in Malawi with World Vision
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Alumnus Helping Construction Companies in Rebuild
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Inspiring Engineering
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College House Hosts Summer Conferences
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Welcome to Students of 2014
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2013 Articles
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Alumnus Wins Top Film Prize, and More
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CH Students Win UC's Bridge Challenge
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Australasian Engineering Design Competition Won by CH Students
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PM Speaks to the House
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CH Alumni Scoop 2013 Entré Awards
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Former MP Visits the House
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College Day
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50 Years on
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CH Graduates December 2012/April 2013
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Local Philanthropists Visit the House
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Christchurch, City of Opportunities
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Student Volunteerism Encouraged
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Leading Alumna Visits the House
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Juggling, Piano and Birthday Cake
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Sam Johnson meets the Dalai Lama
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A Day at Buckingham Palace
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CH Students Win Gold for Canterbury
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Dinner Guest Professor Emeritus John Burrows, QC
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A Summer in Antarctica
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2012 Articles
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2011 Articles
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2010 Articles
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College House 160th Reunion Weekend
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Westminster Abbey 160th Celebratory Service
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Christchurch Earthquake
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Sporting Exchange with Selwyn College, Dunedin
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Trinity College visits College House
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Sam Neill visits College House
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Selwyn College Cultural Exchange
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Cholmondeley - CH students help out
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Inter-hall competitions in the first term
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Formal Dining and First Term Guests
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Welcome to the Freshers 2010
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2009 Articles
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2008 Articles
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2007 Articles
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2006 Articles
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2005 Articles
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New Buildings Being Constructed
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Leavers' Dinner 2005
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Interhall Sports Champions 2005
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Selwyn College (Otago) Cultural Exchange 2005
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Scholarships Awarded 2005
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College House Wins Interhall Cultural Shield Again
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2005 Car Rally
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Term three Candlelight Chapel Service 2005
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College House student to swim in the US and Turkey
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Robbie Burns Dinner 2005
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College House Student Wins Scholarship to Cambridge
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College House Students Recognised as University Leaders
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