Banana Boat NZ Ocean Swim Series Swim Fest Lake Karāpiro – 21st & 22nd March 2026
Swim Fest Lake Karāpiro
Conquer the Challenges of Lake Karāpiro
Dive into the exhilarating Swim Fest at Lake Karāpiro, a stunning freshwater destination nestled in the heart of the Waikato. Surrounded by lush green landscapes and world-class rowing waters, Lake Karāpiro sets the stage for a day packed with swim challenges and unforgettable moments.
A Festival of Aquatic Excitement
We've packed all the action into two massive days, with the biggest lineup of swims in the Series. Whether you're chasing a personal best in the 25km swim, testing your grit in the 500m Blast, or cheering on the next generation in the 100m and 200m Banana Boat OceanKids events – there’s something for everyone.
Take your training to the next level and go for the double!
Tackle the 25km and 10km combo for a huge 35km weekend, or mix it up with a 5km and 3.5km back-to-back challenge – the choice is yours. Mix and match your swims to create your ultimate endurance weekend.
And if you're entering the Series, you'll automatically be added into the 3.5km event as that is the main event for the Banana Boat series – no extra steps required!
Whether you're a seasoned athlete or just someone who wants to give it a go, this event is made for everyone.
Swim Fest Lake Karāpiro
Make a Weekend of it!
This is shaping up to be a massive campsite weekend, so why not stay and soak up the full experience?
BOOKINGS OPENING SOON – campervan sites and cabins are available just a few hundred metres from the action. Or, enjoy a comfortable stay in one of Cambridge’s nearby hotels, and treat yourself to the local cafes, restaurants, and classic Kiwi hospitality.
Choose Your Challenge:
25km individual, 25km Relay, 10km, 5km, 3.5km, 2.5km, 1km, 500m and 200m or 100m
25km Relay
Teams from 2- 5 swimmers – gather your crew and take on this exciting relay challenge! There's no set distance per swimmer, but each team member must complete at least one lap. If you've got a stronger swimmer, feel free to lean on them to tackle more laps. Make it a family affair—let the kids join in for a lap while mum and dad handle the bigger distances. Just ensure you haven't scheduled other races at the same time, or complete your relay first before moving onto your next event of the day
This will take part at the same time as the 25km individual event.
Medals for 1st, 2nd and 3rd in Category.
Be Part of the Story
Swim Fest Lake Karāpiro offers the perfect opportunity to push your limits, celebrate your love for the water, and write your own chapter in the Swim Series journey.
Join us for a day – or a whole weekend of endurance, excitement, and lakeside adventure!
Come and enjoy a Swim Festival of epic proportions.
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MULTI LAP COURSE
A Course Designed for Support, Safety, and Spectator Fun
25KM, 10KM, 5KM, 3.5KM, 2.5KM, 1KM, 500M, 200M AND 100M COURSE
We're using a 2.5km multi-lap course for most events, creating a spectator-friendly layout that keeps the action close to shore. This setup allows for maximum support from friends, family, and fellow swimmers, while making it easy to combine laps to suit all distances – from shorter swims to the epic endurance challenges.
The course also offers enhanced safety, making it easier for our experienced guards to keep a close eye on swimmers at all times – so you can focus on chasing your goals with confidence.
Cut off times for the 25km on Day 1 will be 10 hours, that's 2min 10 sec per 100m. Cut off for the 10km on day 2 will be 5 hours.
| Date | Time | Event |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, 20th March 2026 | 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM | Registration opens for all events - Lake Karāpiro |
| Saturday, 21st March 2026 | 6:30 AM | Registrations open and swim pack pick up - 25km Ultra Marathon Swim |
| Saturday, 21st March 2026 | 7:00 AM | All food in place for 25km food stations |
| Saturday, 21st March 2026 | 7:20 AM | 25km Ultra Swim compulsory safety briefing |
| Saturday, 21st March 2026 | 7:30 AM | START – 25km Ultra Swim |
| Saturday, 21st March 2026 | 7:30 AM | Registrations open and swim pack pick up – 5km, 1km, 500m, and 2.5km events |
| Saturday, 21st March 2026 | 8:45 AM | Compulsory safety briefing for the 5km Swim |
| Saturday, 21st March 2026 | 9:00 AM | START – 5km Swim |
| Saturday, 21st March 2026 | 11:45 AM | Compulsory safety briefing for the 1km Swim |
| Saturday, 21st March 2026 | 12:00 PM | START – 1km Swim |
| Saturday, 21st March 2026 | 1:45 PM | Compulsory safety briefing for the 500m Swim |
| Saturday, 21st March 2026 | 2:00 PM | START – 500m Swim |
| Saturday, 21st March 2026 | 2:45 PM | Compulsory safety briefing for the 2.5km Swim |
| Saturday, 21st March 2026 | 3:00 PM | START – 2.5km Mid Swim |
| Saturday, 21st March 2026 | 5:30 PM | CUT OFF – 25km Ultra & 2.5km Swim |
| Sunday, 22nd March 2026 | 7:00 AM | All food in place for 10km Swim – food stations |
| Sunday, 22nd March 2026 | 7:20 AM | 10km Marathon Swim compulsory safety briefing |
| Sunday, 22nd March 2026 | 7:30 AM | START – 10km Marathon Swim |
| Sunday, 22nd March 2026 | 7:30 AM | Registrations open & swim pack pick up – 3.5km Main Race |
| Sunday, 22nd March 2026 | 10:15 AM | Compulsory safety briefing – 3.5km LONG Series Points Race |
| Sunday, 22nd March 2026 | 10:30 AM | START – 3.5km LONG Series Points Race |
| Sunday, 22nd March 2026 | 10:50 AM | OceanKids 100m & 200m compulsory safety briefing |
| Sunday, 22nd March 2026 | 11:00 AM | START – OceanKids 100m & 200m |
| Sunday, 22nd March 2026 | 12:30 PM | CUT OFF – 10km & 3.5km Swims |
| Sunday, 22nd March 2026 | 12:30 PM | Prizegiving – 25km, 10km, 5km medals + 3.5km Over/Under Age Group, Wetsuit 2.5km Mid 1st, 2nd and 3rd in each age group and non wetsuit 1st place in age group. Finishers medals for 25km and 10km events. |
| Event | Age | April to May 31st | June 1st to July 31st | Aug 1st - Sept 30th | Oct 1st - March 20th | Event Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thrive to 35 Day 1 - 25km, Day 2 - 10km |
16 yrs + | NZ$399.00 | NZ$410.00 | NZ$420.00 | NZ$430.00 | NZ$445.00 |
| Chasing 12.5 Day 1 - 5km, 1km, 500m, 2.5km, Day 2 - 3.5km |
12 yrs + | NZ$239.00 | NZ$249.00 | NZ$259.00 | NZ$269.00 | NZ$284.00 |
| Shine for 9 Day 1 - 5km, 1km, 500m and 2.5km |
12 yrs + | NZ$199.00 | NZ$209.00 | NZ$219.00 | NZ$229.00 | NZ$234.00 |
| 25km Ultra Marathon Swim / 25km relay | 16 yrs + | NZ$199.00 | NZ$209.00 | NZ$219.00 | NZ$299.00 | NZ$234.00 |
| 10km Marathon Swim | 14 yrs + | NZ$149.00 | NZ$159.00 | NZ$169.00 | NZ$179.00 | NZ$184.00 |
| 5km | 12 yrs + | NZ$110.00 | NZ$120.00 | NZ$125.00 | NZ$135.00 | NZ$140.00 |
| 3.5km Long Swim (Series Race) | 12 yrs + | NZ$99.00 | NZ$109.00 | NZ$114.00 | NZ$124.00 | NZ$134.00 |
| 2.5km Mid Swim | 10 yrs + | NZ$85.00 | NZ$95.00 | NZ$100.00 | NZ$105.00 | NZ$110.00 |
| 1km Swim | 10 yrs + | NZ$65.00 | NZ$75.00 | NZ$80.00 | NZ$85.00 | NZ$90.00 |
| 500m Swim | 8 yrs + | NZ$55.00 | NZ$65.00 | NZ$70.00 | NZ$75.00 | NZ$80.00 |
| OceanKids 100m & 200m (6-12 yrs old) | FREE | FREE | FREE | FREE | FREE |
Key Event Information
Event Day General Info
Event location
The event headquarters is located at Lake Karapiro, main event area.
Free with your swim entry
- Silicon swimming cap (you wear on event day)
- Branded finish line photo (digital sharing quality)
- Electronic timing device
- Sports drink and a banana to refuel post event
- Trained lifeguards to watch over you while you swim and advanced medical personnel on site
Cut-off time is 4:30pm day 1, day 2 is 12:30pm
For safety reasons and to ensure the day runs to schedule, our swims have a cut-off times.
Banana Boat OceanKids 100m- 5mins
Banana Boat OceanKids 200m- 10mins
Age limits
Lake Karapiro 25km: 14 years and above
Lake Karapiro 10km: 14 years and above
Lake Karapiro 5km: 12 years and above
Lake Karapiro 3.5k: 12 years and above
Lake Kariporo 2.5k: 10 years and above
Lake Karapiro 1000m: 10 years and above
Lake Karapiro 500m: 8 years and above
Banana Boat OceanKids: 100m & 200m 6 – 12 year olds.
Swim caps & start groups
As part of your swim pack, you will receive a silicon swim cap. Each start group has a different coloured cap. Start groups are determined by the speed group you selected in the entry form. If you have swum with us already this season please bring your cap to minimise the number of caps you collect and reduce our environmental footprint.
The start groups are calculated by our operations team and are organised by speed groups & entry numbers. These can vary from event to event, unless you are a Multi Event pass swimmer, and we are reluctant to change these as it can affect results.
Speed 1 & 2 - Fastest swimmers:
Speed 1: 1:20 - 1:30 per 100m
Speed 2 – 1:30 - 1:40 per 100m
Mid 1 & 2 – Competitive but like a little bit more space on the start line
Mid 1 - 1:40 - 1:50 per 100m
Mid 2 – 1:50 - 2:00 per 100m
Comp 1 & 2 – Out there to challenge yourself and swim with friends and family
Comp 1 - 2:00 - 2:10 per 100m
Comp 2 – 2:10 + per 100m
Prize-giving
Finishers medals at the finish line for the 25km, 10km, 5km events.
Day one prize giving 2.5km (mid swim).
Day two prize giving 3.5km, wetsuit & non-wetsuit.
Results
Live results will be available as soon as you have crossed the finish line. If you cannot see your result or think there is an error, please come and see the team in registration as soon as possible and definitely BEFORE prizegiving. You can find the results here.
Post-event nutrition
Once you have crossed the finish line one of our awesome crew will be there to meet you with water and a banana.
BYO drink bottle
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 the hydration station, you can fill your bottle with water. Look out for our water station and stay hydrated!
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 storage
Gear Bag Drop-Off
A designated area for storing gear bags will be available for all participants while you swim. This will be located at the main event site at Lake Karāpiro.
Please remember as this is an ‘all take care, and this a no responsibility’ service
We'll do our best to keep your belongings safe while you focus on smashing your goals!
Parking
Parking & VIP Camper Van Sites
There will be plenty of parking available at the venue. Simply follow the volunteers and event signage when you arrive to be directed to the nearest available space.
Want to stay close to the action?
You can purchase a VIP Camper Van Powered Site, located just metres from the Event Base. It’s the perfect option to rest, recover, and refuel between swims while soaking up the atmosphere of this epic festival of endurance.
