Ocean Swim Series marks landmark anniversary

The Bay of Islands Classic swim taking place on 28th November heralds the start of the popular 2015/16 New Zealand Ocean Swim Series and this year will mark a very special milestone in the series’ history.

This year’s event will be the 10th anniversary for the prominent series, a milestone that Event Founder and Organiser,  Scott Rice is extremely proud to have reached.

Rice explains “when I started this series all those years ago I had very high hopes but I had no idea that my team and I would still be going strong a decade later.

“It has been fantastic to watch this series blossom from a couple of swims to a much loved, nationwide series (and) whilst the series has definitely grown, so have the participant’s abilities and enthusiasm to take the plunge.

“It just goes to show that Kiwis of all ages and abilities love swimming and testing their own abilities in the water.”

The Bay of Islands Classic is the first of seven events in the 2015/16 New Zealand Ocean Swim Series.

This season will mark the debut of two exciting, new events; the Christchurch Crown (which will replace the La Grande swim in Akaroa) and the Legend of the Lake (Rotorua). Remaining events will also include fan-favourites; the Harbour Crossing (Auckland), Capital Classic (Wellington), Sand to Surf (Mt Maunganui) and the King of the Bays (Auckland).

Distances at the Bay of Islands Classic will include; the 300 metre ‘Give it A Go’ and the 3.3 kilometre ‘I’m Going Long’.

For youngsters aged between seven and 13 years there is the 200 metres ‘OceanKids’ event, with the participants eligible to join the Jetstar Super Swim Squad.

The squad is made up of age group winners from throughout the season and involves attendance at an end of season training camp in Auckland with top name elite swimmers and coaches.

For those attending the camp, airfares and accommodation will be provided by Jetstar for the child and a parent/caregiver.

The Ocean Swim Series caters for swimmers of all skill sets and offers an opportunity for recreational swimmers to take the plunge with some top name swimming elites.

Some of the elite swimmers who will be returning to the fray will be last year’s elite series winner’s Nathan Capp and Charlotte Webby.

The charity partner for the New Zealand Ocean Swim Series is Surf Life Saving New Zealand.

For more information or to register for this popular series go to www.oceanswim.co.nz

Top image caption: Eager participants getting ready to take the plunge at the 2014 Bay of Islands Classic. Courtesy Simon Watts.

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