Czech long distance swimmer Jakub Kačerovský (24) a national champion from Prague, is preparing to take on one of Aotearoa’s most iconic open water challenges – the Cook Strait, to raise awareness for people living with multiple sclerosis.
Kacerovsky, who has already conquered the English Channel, says this mission is deeply personal:
“I want people living with MS to be heard – to know they are not alone. My grandmother had a neurodegenerative disease. I saw how the brain can betray the body, how confidence disappears even in simple movements. That’s why I’m swimming – for everyone whose body no longer listens in the way it should.
A Champion Swimmer Turning Toward New Challenges
Swimming has been part of Kacerovsky’s life since childhood. He began as a competitive swimmer, later becoming an instructor and coach. Over the years he has collected multiple Czech national titles, competed across Europe, and more recently emerged as one of the country’s strongest winter swimmers.
He has recentlycompeted in the Czech Winter Cup. Although he regularly finishes on the podium, his priority at the moment is the Cook Strait.
“There are about 22 winter races in a season,” he says. “But with the Cook Strait ahead, I can’t do them all. I’m choosing training over season points.”
His training schedule includes around 30 kilometers of swimming each week, plus two to three dry-land sessions focussed on strength and resistance-band work.
Heading to New Zealand
Kacerovsky arrives in New Zealand on February 23, 2026. Cook Strait crossing attempts are scheduled within two weather windows:
- 26 – 28 February
- 12 – 14 March
Only one Czech swimmer has ever completed a solo Cook Strait crossing – Abhejali Bernardová, which she did in 2018. The Strait is part of the “Oceans Seven” a global collection of the most difficult open-water swims, which includes the English Channel. Kačerovský swam across the channel in 9 hours and 10 minutes, the fastest Czech performance in the last 16 years.
Support From Home
Although Kacerovsky will be swimming on the far side of the world, support will be following from home. The ROSKA Union, a Czech patient organisation for people with multiple sclerosis, is coordinating events to coincide with his attempt.
“We can’t travel to the other side of the world with Jakub”, says ROSKA chairwoman Jirina Landova. “But while he supports our patients abroad, we’ll highlight the daily challenges faced by people living with MS here at home”.
Throughout February and March, several swimming pools across the Czech Republic will host a nationwide charity event called Together with Roska across Cook Strait. Anyone can participate, not just patients with multiple sclerosis. Every meter swum will support the collective goal of swimming 22 kilometers. This is approximately the length of Cook Strait. “Jakub and his team members will share updates from New Zealand” added Landova.
“Over 5000 people are diagnosed with MS in New Zealand, and one of the biggest barriers globally that impact on diagnosis, services and living well with MS, is the lack of awareness about the condition and its symptoms,” says Multiple Sclerosis New Zealand national manager, Amanda Rose. “It’s encouraging to follow Jakub’s journey and see how inspired he is by the people with MS that he has met in his home country to take on such a daring challenge in his personal efforts to raise awareness for MS.”
Global MS Diagnosis Facts
- Every 5 minutes, someone, somewhere in the world is diagnosed with MS.
- There are more than 2.9 million people living with MS around the world and 5000 in New Zealand.
- Women (69%) are three times more likely to be diagnosed with MS than men (31%).
- MS affects children as well as adults, with at least 30,000 people under 18 living with MS.
- MS doesn’t just affect the person diagnosed, but also their family, whānau and friends.
- Barriers to diagnosing MS early exist in the majority of countries (83%), but they are more common in lower-income nations.
- The biggest global barrier is a lack of awareness about MS symptoms—both among the public (68% of countries) and healthcare professionals (59%). While lack of awareness is a common issue everywhere, lower-income countries also face challenges like a shortage of trained healthcare professionals and limited access to affordable diagnostic tests and equipment.
About the ROSKA Union
Founded in 1992, the ROSKA Union is a patient organisation with 29 regional societies that supports people with MS navigate their diagnosis and everyday life with the condition. Through its website www.roska.eu, it runs counselling centres to support peoples mental health.
