Russell to Paihia, Bay of Islands

3.3km from Russell Beach all other events from Paihia Beach

Please refer to our Swimmer Information document for the State Russell to Paihia swim on Saturday 11 December.  This document contains important information we would like you to be aware of.  Click here for a copy of the PDF document.

Known as the 'Jewel of the Bay of Islands' Paihia is the main tourist town in the beautiful Bay of Islands. With 144 islands and bays, the Bay of Islands is one of the best martime parks in New Zealand.

State New Zealand Ocean Swim Series director Scott Rice says he is delighted to bring the event to the Bay of Islands. "We were attracted to the region not only for its great beauty but also for the iconic nature of the long distance swim 3.3km from Russell to Paihia.

"It's not every day that people can swim in a safe environment from the country's first capital, Russell, to the beautiful shores of Paihia and we're sure this event will become one of the highlights of the series."

Registration Details

There will be two opportunities for swimmers to attend the swimmer pack collection (registration) prior to the Russell to Paihia event.

If you are from outside of the Bay of Islands or Auckland 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.

Swimmer pack collection option 1:

Venue: Auckland locaiton TBC
Date: Thursday 9 December 2010
Time: 12:30PM - 2:30PM

Swimmer pack collection option 2:

Venue: Copthorne Hotel and Resort, Bay of Islands
Copthorne Hotel & Resort Bay of Islands is situated on the beach front, adjacent to the Waitangi National Trust and a scenic golf course. Get directions here.
Date: Friday 10 December 2010
Time: 4:00pm - 9:00pm
The Paihia Christmas Parade is taking place from 4:30PM - 6:00PM on this day down the main street in Paihia (Marsden Road).  If you are travelling on this day to collect your swim pack, it would be best to take the Puketona entrance to Paihia rather than the Opua entrance.

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

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.

Late Entries

There will be NO late entries on race day (Saturday 11 December 2009) but may be available at the swimmer pack collection functions. Please see website for details in the week prior to the event.

Entry confirmation & amendments

Check or amend your entry details for any of the events at the Russell to Paihia event 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). 

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

Race day transport (3.3km only)

A ferry will be available to transport swimmers (no spectators sorry) to Russell ferry terminal. The price for a one way trip is $7 per person. Ferry's will also be available following prize giving to transport passengers back to Russell. Times to be advised. Bookings can be made online when entering the event.

Forgot to book the ferry? - book and pay online here!

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

Safety briefing

A compulsory safety briefing will be held at the following times for each event distance:
'Give It A Go' 300m swim at 9:25AM on Paihia Beach
'Step It Up' 1000m swim at 10:10AM on Paihia Beach   
'I'm Going Long' Russell to Paihia 3.3km swim at 11:15am on Russell Beach

Swimmer cut off times

All 3.3km swimmers must reach the 400m cut off marker within 14 minutes from your wave start to continue the Russell to Paihia Swim swim. The 400m marker is the first orange buoy on the swim course. If you do not reach the 400m marker within 14 minutes, life guards will politely ask you to board a back safety boat.

The cut off times for the Russell to Paihia events are:

• 'Give It A Go' 300m swim - 12 minutes
• 'Step It Up' 1000m swim -  40 minutes   
• 'I'm Going Long' Russell to Paihia 3.3km swim - 2 hours

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 at the first convenient opportunity.

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.

Prize giving

Prize giving will take place at approximately 2:00PM on Paihia Village Green (across the road from the 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 & Espiritu Santo Swim valued at over $3000. The Vanuatu Ocean Swim prize consists of:

• 1  ex-tax Air Ticket Auckland - Vila - Santo Return on Air Vanuatu
• Transfers
• 4 Nights Accommodation in Port Vila
• 3 Nights Accommodation on Espiritu Santo

• Free race and functions entry to Vanuatu Ocean Swim Port Vila and Espiritu Santo Aore Swim

Gear Bags

A gear truck will be available at the race start at Russell Beach for all 3.3km swimmers. The truck will transport all swimmer bags to Paihia. Please pack only essentials as space is limited.
A gear tent will be provided for all participants on Paihia Beach. Please place your gear bag in the tent, clearly labeled for identification. Please pack only essentials, as there is limited room.

Toilets & showers

There are toilets located at Russell Beach and additional portaloos placed at the race finish.
An outdoor shower with cold fresh water will be provided on Paihia Beach for swimmers to rinse under from the salt water. 

After the swim!

Post event entertainment

Details to be advised.

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 11 December 2010 (or before if we can). Finisher’s certificates will be available for download from the results page.

Travel and accommodation

Accommodation

As New Zealand's largest Hotel owner/operator, Millennium, Copthorne & Kingsgate Hotels and Resorts are pleased to be associated with the State New Zealand Ocean Swim Series.

We have a standard of accommodation to suit all contestant needs through our Millennium, Copthorne and Kingsgate Hotel brands. Rates start from $ 90 including GST per room on a single, double, or twin share basis and along. Book using the "OSWIM" rate code and the bill payer will receive a FREE pair of blueseventy goggles worth $35. The more times you stay at Millennium, Copthorne and Kingsgate Hotels this summer between November and April, the more pairs of goggles you will receive.

As well as providing the opportunity to win weekends away at any one of our 30  Hotels nationwide, for competitors, participants and their supporters we have put together some great rates for you to enjoy "our world of hospitality" throughout the series. To access these rates, please visit http://www.millenniumhotels.co.nz/oswim/ phone our toll-free reservations team on 0800 808 228 and quote rate code OSWIM.

Travel option to Paihia

Drive - Paihia is an approximate 2 hour, 45 minute drive from Auckland. Get driving directions here
Fly - Air New Zealand have regular flights from Auckland airport to Keri Keri airport (approx 15 minute drive from Paihia). Flight prices from Auckland to Keri Keri one way are available from $89. Flights from Wellington to Keri Keri are available from $290 return and flights from Christchurch to Keri Keri are available from $495 return. We recommend checking www.grabaseat.co.nz for flight specials.  
Bus - Intercity offer regular bus trips to Paihia. These take approximately 4 hours and are available  from $53 one way.

Paihia visitor information

For information on attractions and things to do in Paihia visit www.paihianz.co.nz