Stories of change and hope

Hope-filled stories about our programme participants and their inspirational journeys back into the outdoors.
Duncan Swims Across the Finishline
Duncan completed his mission with friends in April 2025, swimming from Umupuia to Maraetai. “I finished it tired,” he said, “with legs that didn't want to walk me out of the water.” Duncan jokes, “Mine’s probably been the longest Mastering Mountains mission to take place.”
Resilience: Duncan Grant swims across the current
Duncan Grant has MS and talks to us about the resilience as he works towards his goal and how he’s learning to 'swim across the current': finding freedom and joy from acceptance, the willingness to change your mindset and embrace vulnerability in community.
Introducing: Duncan Grant
Duncan is a Manawatu local who happens to live in Auckland. He was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis three years ago, and he is preparing to complete the 4.6km Rangitoto Ocean Swim.