NZ open water swim events and adventure holidays

Below are some of NZ’s annual open water swim events, usually ranging in distance from 1km–5km. I’ve also included a list of swim adventure/holiday companies and marine conservation organisations to follow and support, as well as links to relevant Swim Chats episodes with event organisers and businesses.

Open water swim events

NZ Ocean Swim Series (November – May)
The locations change a bit each year but generally include Paihia/Russell, Auckland, Mt Maunganui, Taupō, Nelson, and Rotorua.

The Ruby Swim (January)
An annual swim event in Lake Wānaka. Distances vary and entries open September(ish) each year.

The Flannagan Cup Open Water Swim (early February)
This Waitangi long weekend swim in New Plymouth has been running for more than a century and you can choose between 1.2km or 3.6km.

Scorching Bay and Oriental Bay Challenge (late February)
Swimming Wellington usually offers a couple of open water events, with the exact dates and locations dependant on the weather.

Eastbourne Wharf 2 Wharf (late February)
This Wellington community event has run for more than 75 years and is an accessible 1.2km distance.

Lake Taupō Rotary Across the Lake Swim (late February)
Distances range from 1–4.2km in this “fun and friendly” annual event.

5 Bridges River Swim (early March)
This freshwater swim event in Hamilton, Waikato has been running for almost 90 years. It’s a 7.1km swim but with the river’s assistance it feels more like 3km, according to the website.

Matiu / Somes Island Challenge (early March)
Another Swimming Wellington-run event, 3.2km from the island across the harbour to Petone Beach.

RealNZ Whakatipu Legend (early March)
Distances vary in this South Island swim event (Queenstown). The 4km swimmers can jump off a steamboat (1.5m or 3.5m height options) to kick off their swim.

Huka River Swim (early March)
This 3.3km swim takes you down the mighty Waikato River in Taupō and it books out fast every year.

Cathedral Cove Swim (March)
A semi-annual swim event in the Coromandel, organised by coach Brent Foster.

ANZAC Day swim (April 25)
This is an annual event run by Tri Wellington to commemorate the heroic WWI swim by Sir Bernard Freyberg (listen to the Swim Chats episode about his fascinating life), the namesake of Freyberg Pool, Beach and Street! Details are posted in the Wellington Ocean Swimmers Facebook group.

The Big Swim (June, nationwide)
Not an event as such but a fundraiser for Coastguard NZ. Set your swim distance for the month, join a team, or support someone else’s swim! (Listen to the Swim Chats interview with James Groombridge from Coastguard NZ.)

RealNZ Whakatipu Legend Winter Swim (July)
A bracing winter swim event in water that’s 8-10°C.

IISA NZ and Oceania Ice Swimming Pool and Open Water Championships (July)
One for the hardiest swimmers! The event alternates yearly between St Bathan’s Lake and Alexandra Pool, Central Otago. The water is below 5°C. (Listen to the Swim Chats interview with Susan Sherwen.)

Swim holidays in NZ and the Pacific

Marine conservation in NZ

People are doing some great mahi in the moana and wai around Aotearoa! Here are some very important organisations to follow and support: