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Nicola Gao

I'm swimming to save lives

  • This is my first year diving

  • in for youth mental health

Laps for Life is a month-long swimming challenge held annually in March.

Encouraging participants to swim for their own mental health and, at the same time, raise funds for young people. More than 1 in 3 young people currently experiencing mental health challenges. 

Suicide is the leading cause of death for young people in Australia. Each year more young people die by suicide than in car accidents or from cancer.


Having lived in Newcastle for the last 6 years, I had rarely take advantage of going for a swim in our beaches, baths and pools till last year. 


Last year I was finding myself unable to manage a lot of stress that lead to a huge mental health strain, where my usually coping methods were not enough. 

As an ex-competitive swimmer, I remembered swimming laps was one of the few times in my life where I felt total calm. Where I had to really listen to myself and my body. 

I have to think about breathing and regulating myself. Generally grounding myself. 

Swimming laps has given me a sense of discipline, kindness and gratitude towards myself again. 


Choosing to swim in the ocean baths, the ocean has become a place of comfort and grounding for me. It’s also become a meeting space shared with friends for healing, resetting and strengthening. We have grown to appreciate the ocean.


This March, I'm swimming to make sure young people in Australia have the mental health support they urgently need.

By sponsoring my challenge, you’ll be helping to prevent youth suicide.

All funds raised will help young people feel better about today and the future, no matter what challenge they're facing.

Trading choppy waves for chlorine!

With the rain and swell, I’ve heard the baths are not as pleasant to swim in. Definitely felt like a challenge last Saturday at Mereweather, choppy waves were throwing me about a bit. So back at the forum this evening for a swim. I forgot how much my skin and hair dislike chlorine, and how much it sticks to the skin. But the 25m distance is a nice break from the regular 50. Another 3km, maybe a morning swim tomorrow if I can pull myself out!

We’ve started!

Lots of things on the brain today, made it a bit hard to get up and go. But we made it out, and got 2km out :) Basking in the sun after is the best reward. Lots of insight from pals about ocean having a higher frequencies and proven studies of water having grounding energy. So I guess if you’re at a down point- being in the ocean in particular, will bring you to a higher frequencies. Lots of love! Wear sunscreen!

Please Help Me
Reach My Goal

Raised

$1,059

My Goal

$1,000

Select amount to donate

$52
$89
$128
$245
$245
$540
$756
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My Swim Progress

I've swum

20.00km (0 laps)

My Goal

20km

How do you compare to other participants?

Average Distance Swum: 9m

Average Distance Goal: 16KM

My Impact

So far this year I helped provide...

265

Young people with vital mental health support.

Fundraising Progress

Raised

$1059

My Goal

$1,000

So far, you’ve raised 106% of your fundraising goal!

Raised

$0

My Team Goal

$0

So far, you’ve raised nan% of your fundraising goal!

Raised

$3,656,899

All Goal

$3,600,000

So far, you’ve raised 102% of your fundraising goal!

Thank you to my Sponsors

Life-Saving Donation

$255.54

Nicola Gao

Life-Saving Donation

$250

Matched by Reef Shark Foundation

$103.72

Auntie & Uncle

$100

Viv

$56.24

T C

Yew

$56.24

Rilla Naycha

Amazing and inspiring! I’ll be donating some more soon !

$52

Jen

$29.90

Jack

$27.81

Jack Matthey

Keep hustling!

$22.58

Donald warden

way to go nicole

$22.58

Matched by PNI Foundation & Antipodes Partners

$22.58

Bayleigh Cole

love your work 🙌🏻

$17.16

arabella bickford

you’re incredible and so strong! you’re amazing for doing this. thank you for doing this as someone who continuously struggles daily, I hope I can become as strong as you!

$15

Facebook Donation

$11.65

Tyler Jacobson

$10

Chris Glitsos

$6.13

Anonymous