A plethora of Pauls plunge for the pool
Richmond’s Paula Guiver (brandishing mask and snorkel) was one of a cluster of Pauls who took the leap from 13,000 feet to raise money and awareness for the Motueka aquatic centre. Photo: Claire Gilbert
What is the collective noun for a group of Pauls anyway? Judging by recent events, “a plunge” – or perhaps even “a plummet” – might be appropriate.
It was raining Pauls, Paulas and even a member of the police on Sunday, as the latest initiative in the Motueka aquatic centre campaign took flight.
The ‘Let’s Pool Paul Together’ event began with a determined comment from committee member Paul Heywood, who said that he was willing to do anything to bring attention to the campaign – “even jump out of a plane”.
An idea bloomed, leading to the recruitment of seven brave souls – all with a link to the name Paul – who put their hands up to head 13,000 feet into the air and then enjoy (or endure) a 45-second freefall as guests of Skydive Abel Tasman.
Among the skydivers were Richmond’s Paula Guiver, as well as Nelson’s Paul Watts and Paula Campbell, and Motueka’s Paul Heywood, Paul McIntosh, Zac Paul Woods, and Sergeant Olivia Gibson – affectionately dubbed “Paulice”.
The team of Pauls took flight on a perfect Tasman morning, with glorious views up the Abel Tasman and over to Golden Bay.
Paula Guiver was nominated by her friend Debbie – not that she minded. The vision and hearing technician had assumed she would “knock it off” for her 60th birthday, and so was jumping a few years prematurely.
After coming back to earth, she grinned that the jump was “awesome – so, so cool”.
“I would 100 per cent go straight up again.”
The Paul Together campaign is about raising both awareness and funds, with more than $4000 heading into the coffers for the pool project.
The event was supported by Skydive Abel Tasman, who provided flights, tandem instructors and filming free of charge, and MediaWorks’ The Breeze, which ran a radio competition to find two plucky ‘Pauls’ to complete the crew.
Event chair Ross Loveridge says the day captured everything the campaign stands for.
“This was about doing something bold, joyful and a little bit mad – exactly the kind of energy our community brings to this project. Every one of these Pauls jumped, not just for fun, but for the future of Motueka.”
To support Motueka’s aquatic centre project, visit www.motuekaaquaticcentre.nz