The route that the swim takes is changed each year with the 2016 course beginning at St Heliers and then passing along the Auckland waterfront. The course will then follow out to Bean Rock in the middle of Auckland Harbour and then return back to St Heliers. The swim is dominated by Rangitoto Island with plenty of spectator spots along the way to allow spectators to follow and give support.
The swim course and timings have been set up to provide the best currents for the 3 - 4 hour swimmers, providing a challenge but also an achievable distance for first timers, with the even expecting at least 100 swimmers from both New Zealand and Australia. The event is on the Sunday of a long weekend in New Zealand being the day before ANZAC day which fits perfectly for those having the Monday off work.
The event will have both wetsuit and non wetsuit categories. A team's selection will be included this year. Teams may be 2-6 people. Teams must supply their own kayak support, and those of 4 or more members must supply a power boat that is suitable to carry the swimmers that are not in the water.
Because of the big variation in swim speeds and the long duration of this event swimmers will be responsible for providing their own Kayaker for safety and support during the race. To help swimmers limit the number of support crew they need to organise, they may elect to swim as a group with one kayak but must maintain that group for the full distance. Swimmers need to make sure that their kayakers stay with them for the entire race, as swimmers finishing without a kayaker will not feature in the published results.
EVENT Zoggs Ocean Walker Marathon Swim
WHEN Sunday 24th April, 2016
DISTANCE 10km
WHERE St Heliers Bay, Auckland Harbour
Open Water/Autumn, 2016 21