 A keen swimmer, Harvey swam the Dardanelles in 1979 and was the first to attempt the notorious mouth of the Manukau Harbour, the Manukau Heads in 1987.Also a keen and committed surf life-saver (and winner of a bronze medal at the New Zealand national championships in 1972 and the 1995 world championships), Harvey, a lifelong member of the Karekare Beach Surf Lifesaving Patrol, was associated with the establishment of the Westpac Rescue Helicopter service, which was a world pioneer in civilian helicopter rescue services.He is also a life member of the New Zealand Lifesaving Association and the Auckland Lifesaving Association (Northern).