Riding for Men's Mental Health

For many Kiwi blokes, it's easier to talk about what's really going on when they're shoulder to shoulder, working on a project, or out on the water riding or fishing. A jetski adventure takes you out into nature, exploring with buddies whilst getting that adrenaline kick. That insight has inspired 'THERAPSKI', a first of it's kind grassroots Jetski endurance ride raising awareness and funds for men's mental health

Event Information

What is it about?

The event itself, is an endurance ride, with each rider sponsored per KM ridden, with all funds pooled to the cause. Every rider registering is passionate about the cause, and wants to do their bit to raise awareness and share their story. The ride is not a race. It is a group ride with riders of all levels of experience.

Where do the funds/donations go?

I wanted to ensure any funds we raise through Therapski, have a real and meaningful impact to the cause and the local community. The Rotorua Lakes are a special place to me and many. With this in mind, I am proud to announce that any funds we raise through the event - will go to a Rotorua initiative ‘GOTCHA BRO’. A collaboration between Tātai Ora & Save our Babies Charitable Trust. Gotcha Bro provides men with a safe, supportive space to show up as they area, without fear or rejection - to just be there for each other and korero. So please, if this is a meaningful cause to you too - please donate to the event, or sponsor one of the riders. Therapski is a charity jetski group endurance ride, where a bunch of men are riding their jetskis for men’s mental health awareness. We are literally making waves to break the stigma! 

Where and when?

The event will be held at Lake Rotoiti (North Island), on Saturday August 23rd 2025. Based at Hinehopu Reserve and kicking off at 8:30am.

How can I donate?

If you would like to support this cause and the event/riders - please donate to the Event Givealittle page - link to the right. Any lump sum donations are greatly appreciated, alternatively you can reach to us and sponsor a rider a desired amount for every kilometre they ride.

Blog

PROUD TO ANNOUNCE - all funds will go to GOTCHA BRO

7 Jul 2025 18:30

I am SUPER PROUD to announce where the Therapski funds will all go. I wanted to ensure any funds we raise through Therapski, have a real and meaningful impact to the cause and the local community. The Rotorua Lakes are a special place to me and many. With this in mind, I am proud to announce that any funds we raise through the event - will go to a Rotorua initiative ‘GOTCHA BRO’. A collaboration between Tātai Ora & Save our Babies Charitable Trust. Gotcha Bro provides men with a safe, supportive space to show up as they area, without fear or rejection - to just be there for each other and korero. So please, if this is a meaningful cause to you too - please donate to the event, or sponsor one of the riders. Therapski is a charity jetski group endurance ride, where a bunch of men are riding their jetskis for men’s mental health awareness. We are literally making waves to break the stigma! Check out a word from the initiative facilitator, Matehaere Te Rangi - in the image attached

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Riders registering - exciting!

28 Jun 2025 12:00

Registrations are underway, and as of end of June - we have 6 confirmed riders (and me too!). A big thank you to each of you for registering. There is expense and time given here, for the cause. Nathan, David, Christopher, Lee, Dave and Jacques - legends! Fundraising has begun, with a few dollars popping into the rider's givealittle pages 

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We plotted the course

19 Jun 2025 12:10

Today Stephen and I went to Lake Rotoiti and plotted the course and sounded the buoy depths. A big thanks to Action Sports Direct for lending me a nice new Seadoo Fishpro 170, with a sounder on top. Worked a treat! And look at the lake conditions!

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Thanks Action Sports Direct!

13 Jun 2025 11:17

BIG THANK YOU TO ACTION SPORTS DIRECT Mount Maunganui. Check out this beauty they let me borrow to sound the course buoy depths. Head into Action Sports Direct if you need any Seadoo gear or advice. Good guys!

Read more »

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About me 

I am passionate about being positive and bringing people into nature and adventuring, on a jetski. You can see my adventures on my Youtube channel. Nothing beats escaping for a day on the water. I an also passionate about men's mental health - and like everybody - I have had my share of challenges. I have found in my adventures that blokes bond and share stories on the water and it is a great place have a mental health reset. This all culminated into a crazy idea for a charity jetski ride for this cause, and here we are! Cheers, Greg

Stories shared by our riders

I am proud to be riding with a bunch of genuinely good blokes. A massive thank you to you and all those supporting me in organising and running this event.

Check out why Men's Mental Health is so important to a few of the riders below:

"Through my own journey with mental health, I've come to understand the significant and often unseen toll it can take on us guys. I am doing this event to help highlight that there is help out there and that you don't have to battle it alone"

Jacque

"A lot of guys feel like they have to bottle things up or 'just get on with it', especially at my age. I have seen how that pressure can really take a toll - whether it's mates, family or even myself. This ride is such a cool way to raise awareness, bring people together and show that looking after your mental health can be something powerful"

Nathan

"I have been there before and watched what society would call 'Hardened Men' crumble. "

Lee

Contact us

Contact me

Instagram & Youtube links below

Greg@livinginwake.com

 

Location

Living in Wake - Event Coordinators
Mount Maunganui, New Zealand