Iceberg – 2 July 2022

Are you looking for something invigorating to excite you this winter?  Join us on Waiheke Island and celebrate life in New Zealand by wining, dining…and taking a refreshing mid-winter dip!

Bring your crazy friends and your best fancy dress to take a dive for charity in the Ice Splash, or push the barrow out and swim the Ice Cube 250m.  If your competitive edge is busting to break the ice, take on The Icicle 750m or The Iceberg 2000m events!  Embracing both Little Oneroa and Oneroa beaches, these 750m or 2000m swims will be enough to test your mettle.

Warm up quickly after your swim in a Hot Spring Spa Pool on Oneroa Beach followed by a hot shower, change in heated change tents and then enjoy the carnival atmosphere with much needed L’affare coffee, food and music.

Commemorative completion medals*, fun spot prizes, and cash awards are all part of this winter spectacle!  Stay the weekend to savour fine dining experiences at exclusive vineyards and explore the island’s magical sights, boutique shops and wonderful walking trails. Or, make it a fun-filled day trip – either way it will brighten up your winter!

Swims on offer:

  • The Ice Splash – The famous run in, get wet and get out! Fancy dress optional and encouraged with $5 of entry donated to Waiheke Primary School & Te Huruhi Primary School
  • The Ice Cube 250m – A 250m swim off Oneroa Beach around our iceberg marker buoys.
  • The Icicle 750m – A 750m swim from Little Oneroa Beach to Oneroa Main Beach.
  • The Iceberg 2000m – The main event for experienced swimmers. A 2000m swim from Little Oneroa Beach to Oneroa Main Beach

*For participants of the 250m, 750m & 2000m swims only

Key Event Information

Course Maps

Iceberg

The Ice Splash

Distance: In & Out Start Location: Oneroa Beach
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The Ice Splash

Iceberg

The Ice Cube 250m

Distance: 250m Start Location: Oneroa Beach
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The Ice Cube 250m

Pricing & Benefits

Start Times & Event Timetable

Event Day General Info

Event location

The main event site is located on Oneroa Beach, Waiheke Island opposite number 32 Beach Parade

Live Stream

Your friends & family can watch you smash your swim goals this winter from the comfort and warmth of their own home from anywhere in the world! Check it out on our YouTube Channel

Wetsuits

Due to the event being held in winter and the water temperature being between 14-16 degrees, wetsuits are recommended for The Icicle 750m & The Iceberg 2000m swims. Short wetsuit or a full-length wetsuits can be worn for these swims. Wetsuits are not required nor are they encouraged for The Ice Splash or The Ice Cube 250m swims.

Water Temperature

The water temperature on Waiheke in July ranges from 14-16 degrees and averages at 15.1. You know that is pretty much the temperature of the ocean in Christchurch in summer! Go on, you can do it!

Swim pack pickup

You can collect your swim pack at either of the following times

Friday 1 July – 3-5 pm Oneroa Beach opposite 32 Beach Parade

Saturday 2 July – From 11am

Cut-off times 

Our swims have cut-off times for safety reason and often as a requirement of the Harbour authorities.  If you are still swimming at the cut off time you will be tapped on the shoulder by lifeguards and asked to board an inflatable rescue boat and brought closer to shore to finish. Cut off times vary for each swim distance.

The Ice Cube 250m: 15 mins

The Icicle 750m: 30 mins

The Iceberg 2km: 1hr 15 mins

Age limits

The Ice Splash: All ages. Parents are responsible for all children under 10 years old must they must be within arm’s reach at all times.

The Ice Cube 250m: 8 years and older

The Icicle 750m: 10 years and older

The Iceberg 2km: 12 years and older

Swim caps & start groups

If you are swimming the 250m, 750m or 2000m  you will receive a silicon swim cap. We start swimmers alongside swimmers of similar ability. This is called your start group.  Each start group has a different coloured cap. Start groups are determined by the speed group you selected in the entry form.

The start groups are calculated by our operations team and are organised by speed groups & entry numbers. These can vary from event to event and we are reluctant to change these as it can affect results.

Ice Cube 250m: 1 Start Groups

The Icicle 750m: 2 Start Groups

The Iceberg 2000m: 4 Start Groups

Results

The 250, 750m and 2000m swims will be timed. Live results for these events will be available as soon as you have crossed the finish line. The results link will be updated prior to event day

Event Nutrition

To refuel before and after your swim we’ll provide you a yummy Tasti protein bar with your event pack and a Banana when you finish.

BYO drink bottle & Thermos

As part of our goal to have a greener footprint, we will no longer be offering drinking cups so please remember to bring your own drink bottle. Thanks to the awesome team at SOS Hydration, you can fill your bottle with SOS or water. Look out for our new water station and stay hydrated

Cash Prizes and Award Categories

Cash prizes and gold, silver and bronze medals will be awarded to overall winners and placegetters of The Iceberg 2000m swim. Cash prizes are 1st $300, 2nd $150 and 3rd $50. Gold, silver and bronze medals will be awarded to age group winners and placegetters of The Iceberg 2000m in the following categories; 12-15, 16-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80+.

Gold, silver and bronze medals will be awarded to the overall winners and placegetters of The Icicle 750m with gold medals for the winners of the following age groups; 10-14, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+

Spot prizes are randomly drawn from the start list. You must be at prizegiving to claim your prize so, make sure you stick around!

 

Travelling to Waiheke Island

Ferry to Waiheke:

You can buy discounted Fullers Ferry tickets when you register online for this event. Please note these tickets can only be used for travel from the Downtown or Devonport ferry terminals to travel to Waiheke Island for 2022 The Hot Spring Spas Iceberg mid-winter swim event. Travel is valid on any scheduled Fullers ferry from 1 July to 6 July 2022 inclusive.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alternatively, you can purchase them separately at a discount through our online shop here.

Please be aware that the ferries will at or near capacity during the peak sailings times of 9am, 10am & 11am on Saturday July 3. We strongly recommend taking the 6am, 7am or 8am sailing to have a relaxed start to the event day.

Keen to bring your vehicle to Waiheke?

If you would like to bring your vehicle to Waiheke for the event weekend you can book and travel with SeaLink. This service departs from Half Moon Bay or Auckland City.

Bus to Oneroa:

You have the option of catching a Fullers 360 chartered bus to and from the Oneroa event location on event day Saturday, July 3. Buses will operate in a loop pre and post event.

Pre Event: Bus from Matiatia Ferry Terminal to Oneroa Village (bus stop 5min walk to the event)

The first bus will depart the ferry terminal at 6:45am and will run on a loop until 12:00pm. Please check what time you will need to arrive at the event by checking your event start and briefing times on the Start Times & Event Timetable tab on this webpage.

Post Event: Bus from Oneroa Beach to Matiatai Ferry Terminal

The first buses will leave Oneroa Village from 4:00pm and will run on a loop until 8:15pm.

NOTE: Outside of these times, you can walk (30min/2.6km), catch a taxi to the terminal to catch the ferry.

10 Things To Do On Waiheke Island

Waiheke Island is full of experiences to keep you busy! Check out some of the options below.

  1. Cellar door visits

Waiheke Island has also been called “little Tuscany by the Sea” by some. The island is dotted with world-class vineyards that produce award-winning boutique wines. Cellar door experiences not to be missed includes visits to Cable Bay Vineyard, Mudbrick, Obsidian, Casita Miro, Wild Estate, Stonyrdige, Te Motu, Tantalus, Poderi Crisci, Passage Rock and Man O War Vineyards. Most island Vineyards are also home to some of the island’s best restaurants, so best to book ahead!

  1. Island and wine-tasting tours

When it comes to so many things to do in a short space of time, Waiheke tour operators have you covered. Waiheke Pick Me Up offers a great deal on uncorked friendly and fun wine-tours. Big Aroha does authentic and informative cultural art and wine tours. Ananda Tours have everything from wine, art, nature and even adventure tours. Book customizable boutique experiences with Waiheke Wine Tours or explore Waiheke in a classic car with Waiheke Classic Tours.

  1. Explore Waiheke’s underworld…

at the Fort Stony Batter Tunnels. Stony Batter is a WWII Coastal Defense Fortress on the Eastern End of Waiheke Island. Apart from uninterrupted views of the Hauraki Gulf it is also has 1,2km of subterranean passages, chambers, and stairwells. A visit to the tunnels is a fascinating outing full of interesting history.

  1. Forest Therapy

Terra & Tide offers a unique forest therapy experience whith an accredited nature and forest therapy guide. It includes a series of invitations to deliberately slow down to become present and mindful while gently walking in a beautiful location and ends with a tea ceremony to integrate the experience.

  1. Waiheke Wings

Waiheke Wings has great offers available to explore Waiheke and the Haruaki Gulf from above in a Cesna 172 aircraft. The Waiheke Buzz scenic flight is great value and a popular option amongst other scenic flight options and even chartered flights.

  1. Zip on over

Waiheke is also home to Ecozip, New Zealand’s premier native forest adventure experience. Zip over the Vineyards and forests with the super fun flying fox and walk back up to the Ecozip base through a beautifully restored native rain forest.

  1. Art

Waiheke has a vibrant art scene with many notable artists and galleries. Located in the heart of Oneroa village, the Space Art Gallery exhibits the work of 8 famous Waiheke resident artists. The Waiheke Community Art Gallery brings New Zealand art to the island and is also located in Oneroa. The Island Art Map is stocked at the Matiatia information kiosk.

  1. Walk Waiheke

Explore the island’s natural beauty through Te Ara Hura, a collection of connected walks all over the island. There’s a great range of walks that covers headlands, beaches, forests, and the far end of the Island. Te Ara Hura maps are stocked at the Matiatia Ferrry Terminal info kiosk and can also be downloaded here. There’s so many lovely walks on the island, you will just have to come back in November to see and walk some more with the Walking Festival.

  1. Shop the Village vibes

Oneroa Village is Waiheke’s shopping strip with a view and is located one road up from Oneroa Bay. Stroll through Oneroa village and be spoilt with choice when it comes to restaurants, café’s, fashion, homeware, souvenir shops and art galleries. Follow the LOVE ONEROA Facebook page.

  1. Beaches

Waiheke has some of New Zealand’s most beautiful beaches. A winter favorite is Palm Beach, with its white sands, awesome kiddy’s playpark, and nearby restaurant Arcadia. Onetangi has the longest stretch of beach you can find on Waiheke. It is also home to legendary Waiheke beach bar Charley Farleys; multi award-winning restaurant Three Seven Two and famous Waiheke seafood restaurant: Ki Maha.

Safety

Our talented support team will be on the water every stroke of the way and the team from St John on land.

Bag Storage & Bag Transfer

Main event site bag storage area

If do not have a family or friend to look after your bag on event day, you can store your gear bag at our designated bag drop on our main event site on Oneroa Beach. Please note, our bag storage service is an ‘all care, no responsibility’ service, so please do not pack valuable items and ensure the bag tab we provide you is attached to your bag with your surname written on it.

Bag Transfer 750m & 200m Swims

The 750m and 2000m start lines are a 15 minute walk from the main event site. We encourage those wearing wetsuits to leave their bag in the above bag storage area on the main event site and walk over. If you are not wearing a wetsuit for these swims, you are welcome to wear some warm clothes as you walk to the start lines and then place these in a small bag for us to transfer back to the main event site after you start your swim. This bag must have a bag tag attached (provided) with your surname written on it and not contain valuables. Our bag transfer service is an ‘all care and no responsibility’ service.

 

Parking

There is parking on the streets surrounding the main event site on Oneroa Beach. Please be prepared for a short walk from your car to the event site.