This is your challenge: Make it safe, and make it fun!

Safety guidelines

• Ocean swimming can be a demanding sport/activity

• You are responsible for your own physical condition and are urged to train appropriately for the event and have a medical check prior to entry

• It is important to note that, while every effort will be made to ensure a safe and fun event, organisers and crew are unable to guarantee swimmer safety

• Swimmers with low confidence are encouraged to request a different coloured 'nervous swimmer cap at the safety briefing for easy identification and support

• All registered swimmers must be present at their relevant compulsory safety briefing on event day

• Event wave starts - Entrants can find this information on the event page and will be notified at registration and again at the safety-briefing

• Event cut-off times are enforced for your safety. These are:

  • 1 hour, 50 minutes for State Harbour Crossing 2.9km

  • 1 hour, 45 minutes for 'I'm Going Long' State Capital Classic 2.8km

  • 2 hours for the 'I'm Going Long' State Paihia Classic 3.3km

  • 1 hour, 40 minutes for the 'I'm Going Long' State Sand to Surf

  • 40 minutes for any 'Step It Up' 1000m

  • 12 minutes for the 'Give It A Go' 300m

  • N/A for OceanKids

• Surf Lifesaving New Zealand lifeguards will be patrolling the course for the duration of your event

• St John staff will be on-site with staff and resources at all events

• A swimmer deemed incapable of completing the course in a satisfactory condition will be brought to shore by lifeguards at any time

• While in the water, all swimmers must comply with the directions of lifeguards, the Harbour Master or Coastguard

• In the event of difficulty in the water, stop and raise your hand directly above your head if you are able to identify yourself to a lifeguard. If this is not possible, simple roll onto your back to float in a relaxed position and try to alert a lifeguard

• In the event of witnessing an injury/accident/medical incident during the swim, please report this to one of the lifeguards on the water or on land as soon as possible

• If you decide to withdraw from the event for any reason, please alert a clearly marked event official and return your timing chip to indicate your withdrawal

• To ensure your safety, please be vigilant when swimming around buoys and passing other swimmers

• We recommend swimmers wear a wetsuit for assistance with buoyancy and warmth

• Please give assistance to fellow entrants in need of help

• Children taking part in the State OceanKids or between the ages of 11 and 13 years competing in the 'Give It A Go' 300m, 'Step It Up' 1000m or 'I'm Going Long' swim must have a guardian present on race day and must have signed consent for entry

• Post-race hydration - You will be given a free 400ml Powerade at the race finish. State OceanKids will receive a free bottle of water.

Race Rules

• You must be present at your appropriate safety briefing

• You must start the race within the designated area

• You must swim the course as instructed in the safety-briefing. If you fail to do this, you will be disqualified

• Purposely obstructing other swimmers in the field is prohibited. Doing so will result in your disqualification

• The Race Director's decision is final

• Swim Paddles or flipper/fins are not permitted to be used

Terms and Conditions and Waiver

1. I acknowledge that ocean swimming involves the real risk of serious injury or even death from various causes including overexertion, equipment failure, dehydration, accidents with other entrants

2. I understand that I should not compete in this event unless I have trained appropriately and my physical condition has been verified by a medical practitioner

3. By competing, I accept all risks necessarily flowing from my participation which could result in loss of life or permanent injury. Accordingly, I release all persons or corporations associated directly or indirectly with the conduct of the event from all claims demands and proceedings arising out of my participation and I hereby indemnify them against all liability (including liability for their negligence and the negligence of others) for all injury, loss or damage arising out of or connected with my participation in this event. This release shall extend to and include Quantum Events Limited and their respective directors, partners, managers, officers, agents, contractors, employees and volunteers including medical and paramedical personnel appointed for the event, the owners, licensees and occupiers of land upon which the event or any part of it is conducted, any statutory body or local authority having control over any land upon which the event or any part of it is conducted or which is involved directly or indirectly with the event in any manner whatsoever and promoters, sponsors and event organisers. This release and indemnity continues forever and binds my heirs, executors, personal representative and assigns

4. I accept that it is my responsibility to contact the race organisers should any information on my entry form need to be updated e.g. emergency contact details

5. I understand that if I am entering a long swim for the first time it is the recommendation of the New Zealand Ocean Swim that I complete a Step it Up 1000m swim or similar event before undertaking the longer swim

6. I acknowledge that the event organisers will endeavour to provide a true and accurate course distance but the distance may vary due to tidal flows and ocean conditions

7. I consent to receiving any medical treatment that the event organisers think is necessary during or after the event

8. I consent to the event organisers using my name, image and likeness before during or after the event for event promotional broadcasting or reporting purposes in any media

9. Safety precautions undertaken by organisers (such as course supervision, race safety briefing) are a service to me and other entrants but are not a guarantee of safety

10. I am fully responsible for the security of my personal possessions at the event

11. My registration is not transferable. If the event is cancelled, my registration fee is non-refundable

12. I agree to abide by all race rules and directions issued by the event organiser

13. I agree to my name and contact details being included on the Quantum Events Ltd event and email database. Event specific email communications and messages from event partners will be sent to you

14. I acknowledge that by reason of circumstances beyond the control of the event directors, it may become necessary or desirable to change the format of the event, and if that occurs, I consent to the changes and I agree that each and every of the conditions herein set out shall apply to that changed event

15. If the event is cancelled due to flooding, cyclones, torrential rains or other 'acts of God' conditions, I understand that entry fee will not be refunded

16. I agree to abide by the event organisers Refund and Transfer Policy

17. I hereby certify that I am the minimum age or older as specified for my chosen event. The minimum age as at event day is 14 for the 'I'm going Long' swim, 12 for the 'Step it Up' 1000m swim, 10 for the 'Give it a go' 300m and 6 for the 200m OceanKids swim

18. I hereby certify that if I am younger than the minimum age that I have been approved to enter by the State NZ Ocean Swim Series Race Director via email and I am a current member of a Swimming New Zealand federated swim club and have permission from my legal guardian to enter my chosen swim distance.