Blue70 La Grande Swim – 24 February 2024

Bonjour Akaroa! We’re back again in this picturesque seaside village, with an incredible line-up of swims to choose from, starting in the morning this time around to maximise the tranquil conditions in the bay.

The Generation Homes La Grande Swim is essential for your ‘Kiwi Summer Swimming Roadie’. Take on the second endurance distance in the Series, the 5km ‘Wainui to Akaroa; now that’s a reason to fist-pump the sky when you cross that finish line!

Why not make a weekend of it in the beautiful bay area and experience the distinctly French-influenced restaurants, boutiques and galleries.

Swims on offer:

  • Wainui to Akaroa – 5km – cross the Harbour in our longest swim of the Series
  • The Akaroa Bay – 2km
  • Beach to Rec Grounds – 750m
  • Banana Boat OceanKids 100m and 200m (7-12 years)

Key Event Information

Course Maps

Blue70
La Grande Swim

Banana Boat OceanKids

Distance: 100m Start Location: Main Beach
Banana Boat OceanKids

Blue70
La Grande Swim

Banana Boat OceanKids

Distance: 200m Start Location: Main Beach
Banana Boat OceanKids

Pricing & Benefits

Start Times & Event Timetable

Road Closure & Boat Ramp Closure Information

Road Closure

A section of Rue Brittan will be closed to traffic for the event. If you’re traveling around the Akaroa Recreation Grounds, please be aware that there may be extra traffic and pedestrians in the area. Plan ahead and avoid delays.

Boat Ramp Closures

There will be two boat ramp closures on the event day which are listed below:

  • Akaroa’s main boat ramp time TBC
  • Daly’s Boat Ramp Time TBC

Please pay extreme caution during these times and co-operate with the event marshals and water safety team on the day.

 

Travel

Travel

If you are taking part in the Generation Homes La Grande Swim and need a Cook Strait ferry to get you there, then check out our event partner Interislander, simply head to the booking system and make your booking.

 

Safety

All Banana Boat New Zealand Ocean Swim Series events are patrolled by trained lifeguards and first aid qualified personnel who are present to assist you at all times.

So that the events are safe and enjoyable for all swimmers, there are some rules for the event. Find out more here.

Bag Transfer & Storage

Bag Transfer

If you are taking the bus from The Rec Grounds in Akaroa to Wainui, you can leave most of your gear in the bag storage area. You can take a small bag with you to Wainui and we will bring it back to the Rec Grounds. Please label your bag.

Bag storage area

An area designated to store your gear bag will be available for all event participants. This will be situated at the main event site on the Rec Grounds. You will need to bring your own small gear bag and label with your surname. Please note, our bag storage is an ‘all care, no responsibility’ service, please do not pack valuable items.

Transport

Bus to Wainui swim start

The bus is ONE WAY from the main event site in Akaroa. We recommend this option as there is limited parking available at the 5km Wainui swim start. You can have a supporter drop you off at the 5k start. If you select this bus transfer you can leave most of your belongings at the Rec Grounds and take a small bag with you which we will transfer back to the finish area.

Departs: Akaroa Recreation Ground (main event site) the times for these buses are not yet finalised, we will let you know when they are and you can add a ticket by logging in to your Event Dudes Account and can add a ticket to your swim entry.

 

Parking

Parking information

Akaroa (All events and 5km swim finish)– There will be some parking on the Akaroa Recreational Grounds. Entry for the Grounds is via Rue Brittan. Please listen to the instructions of parking marshals. Once the Grounds are full you will need to find a park on one of the surrounding Akaroa streets. You must NOT park on the cricket pitch as this will damage it.

Wainui (Wainui to Akaroa 5km Swim Start only) – There is very limited parking at Wainui so please don’t bring your car. We strongly suggest all Wainui to Akaroa 5km swimmers book an Akaroa to Wainui bus transfer. See Transport tab full bus timetable.

Makos Zonal Secondary School Open Water Swimming Championships

The Generation Homes La Grande Swim is proud to host the 2023 Makos Zonal Secondary School Open Water Swimming Championships. All swimmers enrolled in a Secondary School (Year 9-13) within the Makos Zone on the date of this event can opt to compete in these championships by selecting their school in the entry form. Championship swim distances include the 5km & 2000m  Swimmers will be eligible for both Secondary School and Banana Boat Ocean Swim Series prizes and medals. Entries close Monday 19 February at 11:59pm

For more information visit the Swimming New Zealand website.

2024 Makos ZSSOWS – Event Information Booklet coming soon

Enter by hitting the big yellow button top right!