National ocean swim returns to Nelson

New Zealand’s national ocean swim series returns to Nelson after nearly five years when swimmers hit the water off Tāhuna Beach on Saturday, 2 November.

The Big Tahuna is race two of the Banana Boat series and includes racing over distances from 100m to 3.2km.

Last here in March 2019, the series was disrupted by Covid and business changes, then held off Christchurch and Wellington as one of the preferred locations for this season.

The main race, over a triangular course off Tāhuna Beach, has attracted nearly 300 entrants from all over New Zealand, including a large contingent from Nelson.
Hopes will be high for age group medals, with Nelson College for Girls student Lilly Claridge the top contender for overall honours.

It will be just two weeks since Lilly took third place overall in the women’s field at the 3.2km Harbour Crossing in Auckland and she’s been training hard to get the best possible result from the Nelson race.

At the other end of the age spectrum, Nelson’s 82-year-old Bishop Derek Eaton will be going for gold in his age group.

Also included in the programme are swims over 1.3km and 500m.

Young swimmers between the ages of seven and 12 are encouraged to take part in OceanKids swims of 100m or 200m.

Entry for these races is free, with each competitor taking away a medal along with their free swim cap.

Registration for the OceanKids events is at 10.30am on the beach.

Spectators will have great views of the 3.2km race from Rocks Rd.

The race starts at 10am on a course that circuits Fifeshire Rock.

Full details at oceanswim.co.nz