Sand to Surf, Mt Maunganui

Main beach, Mt Maunganui, Tauranga

An interesting cruise on one of New Zealand's most stunning ocean beaches – Mt Maunganui's Main Beach. The home to national and international surf lifesaving competitions, this destination typifies the idyllic surf, sun and sand summer holiday for kiwis and tourists alike.

Registration Details

The State Sand to Surf swimmer pack collection will take place the day before the swim on Friday 25 March from 4:00PM - 9:00PM at Mount Maunganui Sports Centre, Cnr Maunganui and Hull Roads, Mount Maunganui. View map

Swimmer pack collection always takes place prior to event day for the following reasons:

• To ensure event day runs to the advertised times
• In the event of strong winds or rain it is unsuitable to have packs outside or to have swimmers queuing without adequate cover
• The swimmer pack pick up has become efficient and effective leaving swimmers very little time queuing or waiting, if we moved this to event day this would change dramatically.

If you are from outside of the Tauranga area you can arrange for friends or family to collect your swimmer pack for you - friends or family will need to confirm your date of birth and if you will be wearing a wetsuit. If you are unable to attend swimmer pack collection and you do not have friends or family that can attend please email our event team here to make alternative arrangements.

Once your event details have been confirmed you will receive a swimmer pack which will include an Event swim cap (compulsory attire during event), timing chip, COMPLIMENTARY State NZ Ocean Swim Series beach towel* valued at $30 thanks to State Insurance and sponsors' products

*competitors receive one beach towel for the 2010/2011 season.

Your hand will be numbered in black permanent marker. Please ensure this remains legible until after the event. If you have elected not to participate, you may still collect your race pack but please advise the crew of your withdrawal - you will not be issued with a timing chip.

Timing chips

Please fasten securely to your ankle only. If you choose not to participate in the event, please return the chip to a crew member immediately. Crew members at the finish line will remove your timing chip. If you lose your timing chip, you will be liable for replacement costs of NZD $50.00.

You can read more about how to attach and use your timing chip here

Entry confirmation

Check or amend your entry for any of the Sand to Surf events by clicking here and following the instructions below.

Instructions: You will then be asked for your Surname and on finding your entry and selecting it, you will have it emailed to your selected account - Please collect your e-ticket from your email address and open it.  On the top right hand side of the page their is a link 'MY ACCOUNT' please click on this and then on the right hand side of the page there is a button that says 'MAKE CHANGES'- you can then change 'PROFILE' (your contact/ emergency details) or 'ENTRY DETAILS' (expected race time/ Wetsuit/ ability etc). 

Late Entries

There will be NO late entries on race day (Saturday 26 March 2011) but may be available at the swimmer pack collection functions. Please see website for details in the week prior to the event.

Complimentary beach towel

Your complimentary State NZ Ocean Swim Series beach towel valued at $30 thanks to State Insurance will be given to you at swimmer pack collection. Please note: competitors receive one beach towel for the 2010/11 season.

Event day information

Swimmer cut off times

The cut off times for the Sand to Surf events are: 

• 'Give It A Go' 300m swim - 12 minutes
• 'Step It Up' 1000m swim -  40 minutes   
• 'I'm Going Long'  swim - 1 hour and 45 minutes

~If you do not complete the swim within this time you will be asked to leave the water by lifeguards and transported to the event finish area by inflatable rescue craft.

These cut off times are a necessary event safety precaution and have been put in place in partnership with Surf Life Saving New Zealand and Harbour Authorities.

Safety briefing

A compulsory safety briefing will be held on Main Beach (in front of the toilet block) at the following times for each event distance:
'Give It A Go' 300m swim at 9:40AM
'Step It Up' 1000m swim at 10:25AM 
'I'm Going Long' Sand to Surf' swim at 11:15am 

Prize-giving

A prize giving will follow immediately after the completion of the Give It A Go 300m event on the Main beach at 10:00AM. Teams and individual swimmers must be present to accept their prizes. Stick around to watch the other swims on the day and be in to win major spot prizes (a Pacific Ocean Swim prize) at the main event prize giving taking place at approximately 1:30PM on the Main Beach.
Join us at one of these great pacific Island swim holiday spots this winter. For information please visit www.pacificswims.com and to book please contact Jeremy Shanahan on (09) 917 2974 or email jeremy@utdtakapuna.co.nz

We will also be drawing a spot prize to the Vanuatu Ocean Swim valued at over $2000. The Vanuatu Ocean Swim prize consists of:

• 1  ex-tax Air Ticket Auckland - Vila Return on Air Vanuatu
• Transfers
• 4 Nights Accommodation in Port Vila
• Free race and functions entry to Vanuatu Ocean Swim Port Vila

Gear Bags

A gear tent will be provided for all participants on Main Beach. Please place your gear bag in the tent, clearly labeled for identification. Please pack only essentials, as there is limited room.

Toilets

There will be additional portaloos placed at the race start and race finish

Parking

Parking is available along the Mt Maunganui beach front promenade and adjacent roads. Please arrange car-pooling with friends where possible.

After the swim!

Photos

Marathon Photos are the official event photographers and will offer all participants high-quality photos of their achievement. All photographs will be available on www.marathon-photos.com within a week of the event. You will also be emailed after the event with a direct link to your photographs..

Results

Results will be posted to the www.oceanswim.co.nz/results by 7:00pm Saturday 26 March 2011. Finisher’s certificates will be available for download from the results page.

Post event entertainment

Come and celebrate your swim with other swimmers at Astrolabe Restaurant Cafe and Bar, 82 Maunganui Road, Mount Maunganui from 2pm until 4pm.  View map.  Drink specials and food specials for swimmers of this event.