Olympic swimmer Kirsten Fisher-Marsters is diving back into the water - not to compete, but to make a difference. After stepping away from competitive swimming in early 2023, she’s returning to the pool for The Big Swim, a month-long challenge this June, raising funds for Coastguard.
After years of chasing medals and milestones, Kirsten, 27, finally had space to slow down and reflect on what life outside the pool could look like.
“I was ready to pursue other things in my life outside of swimming... so I got married and bought a house – a new chapter,” says Fisher-Marsters, a Kiwi who represented the Cook Islands at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
“But The Big Swim has given me that nudge to get back in the pool with a sense of purpose again, without the pressure.”
Fisher-Marsters' connection to swimming runs deep – so deep, in fact, she doesn’t even remember learning it. With her mum a swim teacher and eight siblings in tow, swimming was a cost-effective sport, she jokes.
That early connection led to a 15-year professional career where she proudly represented the Cook Islands at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, two Commonwealth Games, four world champs and multiple world cups. She is also an Oceania medalist, national record holder, Arafura Games record holder.
“It was my whole life, to be honest.”
Since retiring and moving from Auckland to Hamilton, she admits she’s been avoiding the pool for reasons many will relate to - insecurities and the fear of not being as good as she once was.
“For me now, I know that my body isn’t as fit as it used to be, and I don't feel as confident in my togs as I once did... those are some of my fears.
“But I’m also proud of my body now because it got me to where I was wanting to be. Hopefully, it’ll carry me through a healthy and long life. It just has a different purpose now.”
The training schedule of an Olympic swimmer is not for the faint hearted. At the peak of her career, she was clocking up to 24 hours of training a week - 14 training sessions split between 10 two-hour pool sessions, and four one-hour gym sessions.
Since stepping back from the intensive training, her new approach to swimming has become more personal.
“I have so much love for swimming. I love the feeling of being under the water, the water rushing past you, in your own space to think about whatever you want to think about and have whatever song on repeat in your head. It’s a calm space with no phone, no devices, just you and the water.”
Through her work as a Swimming & Water Safety Ambassador for Swimming Waikato and her strong ties to Pacific communities, she understands how critical swimming confidence is in a country surrounded by water.
“Swimming has been a big part of my life but even after all my years in the pool, I’ve always had a lot of respect for the water. I know how quickly conditions can change in open water, and how easily you can get into trouble.
That’s why supporting Coastguard through The Big Swim felt like a natural fit – it’s about helping others stay safe in the water, no matter their skill level, she says.
“Being fit or strong doesn’t make you invincible and in New Zealand we’ve seen far too many people lose their lives to preventable drownings - it shouldn’t be this way.”
The Big Swim is a chance for people of all swimming abilities to challenge themselves and raise funds for Coastguard, supporting volunteer crews across the motu, Fisher-Marsters says.
She encourages anyone thinking about doing it to just start small. “Find a friend or go solo. Start with three lengths, then next time five, and so on. Set little goals and see how far you go.”
She’s also looking forward to something else she missed about public pool life - the chats.
“A part of me just wants to turn up for the chat and hope that somebody wants to chat too,” she laughs.
“It always starts with a question like, ‘are you training for something?’, then next time you’re excited to see that person again.”
For Fisher-Marsters, The Big Swim is about reconnecting - with swimming, with others, and with yourself.
What is The Big Swim?
The Big Swim participants set their own swimming goals, whether that’s a few lengths or a more ambitious distance. They are encouraged to ask friends, whānau, and colleagues to sponsor their efforts and raise funds for Coastguard. Along the way, swimmers can unlock rewards as they hit fundraising milestones.
In its inaugural event held in July, 1,266 swimmers logged more than 8,000 swims, racking up over 14,000km and raising $350,000 for the charity. Register now at bigswim.org.nz
