State OceanKids

At last, a race for the kids!

Kiwi kids love to spend the summer at the beach, so it is wonderful that now they too can participate in ocean swimming events – one of New Zealand’s fastest growing sports. The State OceanKids event has now grown to a great 40 minute session packed full of fun activities designed to give your kids key water safety messages and teach them valuable ocean swimming techniques.

The session will be led by our incredibly respected Surf Life Saving New Zealand crew and supported by an elite ocean swimmer who will take the State OceanKids through special pre-race ocean swimming technique demonstrations. What an event! Everyone is a ‘winner’ just for completing the swim!

This year we are also excited to partner up with Jetstar to bring you the Jetstar Super Swim Squad. Read more about this further down this page.

What is included in your 40 minute OceanKids session?

Note to parents: we suggest you bring a towel, tracksuit or something warm for the kids to wear for this session

(5 MINS) Welcome OceanKids, kick off with a beach and ocean safety Q & A session run by Surf Lifesaving NZ
(5 MINS) A fun activity session in groups of 25 kids about swimming safely in the ocean, led by a Surf Lifesaving guard
(5 MINS) A fun games session in groups of 25 kids about ocean swimming techniques, led by a Surf Lifesaving guard
(5 MINS) An ocean swim racing demonstration led by a NZ or Australian elite swimmer
(5 MINS) OceanKids photo with the elite swimmer, Surf Lifesaving NZ and Koru the Kiwi
(5 MINS) 200m OceanKids swim course description
(5-10 MINS)  200m ocean swim race (please note that a split start will be dependent on entry numbers. This decision is made by the Race Director on event day)

What will your kids receive as part of their entry?

• A State Ocean Swim Series race pack with a State beach towel and other goodies
• A State OceanKids finishers certificate when they cross the finish line
• A State OceanKids group photo with the elite swimmer, Surf Lifesaving NZ and Koru the Kiwi – downloadable from the OceanKids page of the www.oceanswim.co.nz website
• State OceanKids specific medals for the winning boy and girl in the under 8 year olds, 9 year olds and 10 year old age categories – presented at the event prize giving
• A fun 200m State OceanKids ocean swim race supported by Surf Lifesaving New Zealand guards

Important Event Information:

Online entries closing dates:

8 Nov 2012 @ 11.59PM – OceanKids Paihia online entries close
25 Jan 2013 @ 11.59PM – OceanKids Wellington online entries close
21 Feb 2013 @ 11:59PM – OceanKids Christchurch online entries close
14 March @ 11:59PM – OceanKids Mt Maunganui online entries close
4 April @ 11:59PM – OceanKids North Shore City online entries close

Prizes:

This season we are celebrating State OceanKids achievements over and above handing out finishers certificates. State OceanKids now swim in three age group categories (< 8 years old, 9 years old & 10 years old) and both boy & girl winners of each age group will win OceanKids medals – presented to them at each event prize giving.

The Jetstar Super Swim Squad

The fastest swimmers at each State OceanKids event will form the inaugural Jetstar Super Swim Squad and win a once-in-a-lifetime experience – a weekend squad camp in April 2013 with Olympic swimmers including travel and accommodation, special surprises and specialist swim clinics!

The first boy and first girl in each age group at each event will automatically become part of the Jetstar Super Swim Squad and be awarded their entry to the squad at the prizegiving. Each Jetstar Super Swim Squad member will also receive exclusive squad gear and become role models for other young swimmers and their communities.

Click here to take a look over the terms and conditions.

Entry fees & conditions:

To enter, all kids must be between 6-10 years of age as of the day of the event and/or be capable of swimming 200m competently in a pool.

Entry fee per child is $20.00 (early bird), $25.00 (standard), $30 (late entries in week prior and on event day). See the Entry Fees page for more details.

Safe Swimming Tip from Water Safety NZ

Always have an adult supervise children.