NZ Ocean Swim Series Swim Fest Lake Karāpiro –3rd and 4th April 2027
It’s a swim festival of fun, friends, 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 OceanKids events – there’s something for everyone.
If you're entering the LONG Series, you'll automatically be added into the 3.5km event as that is the main event for the NZ Ocean Swim series – no extra steps required!
The distance for the MID Series is the 2.5km.
Whether you're a seasoned athlete or just someone who wants to give it a go, this event is made for everyone.
Make a Weekend of it! and stay on the event site. Chalets, camper vans and tent sites available
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?
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.
Key Event Information
Event Schedule
| Date | Time | Event |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, 2nd April 2027 | 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM | Registration open for all events – Lake Karāpiro |
| Saturday, 3rd April 2027 | 6:30 AM | Registration open & swim pack collection – 25km Ultra Marathon Swim |
| Saturday, 3rd April 2027 | 7:00 AM | 25km food stations fully operational |
| Saturday, 3rd April 2027 | 7:20 AM | Compulsory safety briefing – 25km Ultra Swim |
| Saturday, 3rd April 2027 | 7:30 AM | START – 25km Ultra Swim |
| Saturday, 3rd April 2027 | 7:30 AM | Registration open & swim pack collection – 3.5km, 2.5km, 1km & 500m events |
| Saturday, 3rd April 2027 | 8:45 AM | Compulsory safety briefing – 3.5km Swim |
| Saturday, 3rd April 2027 | 9:00 AM | START – 3.5km LONG Series Points Race |
| Saturday, 3rd April 2027 | 11:45 AM | Compulsory safety briefing – 1km Swim |
| Saturday, 3rd April 2027 | 12:00 PM | START – 1km Swim |
| Saturday, 3rd April 2027 | 1:45 PM | Compulsory safety briefing – 500m Swim |
| Saturday, 3rd April 2027 | 2:00 PM | START – 500m Swim |
| Saturday, 3rd April 2027 | 2:45 PM | Compulsory safety briefing – 2.5km Swim |
| Saturday, 3rd April 2027 | 3:00 PM | START – 2.5km Mid Swim |
| Saturday, 3rd April 2027 | 4:15 PM | Prizegiving – 3.5km LONG, non-wetsuit 3.5km, 2.5km MID. Finisher medals for 25km & 10km. |
| Saturday, 3rd April 2027 | 7:30 PM | CUT OFF – 25km Ultra & 2.5km Swim |
| Sunday, 4th April 2027 | 6:30 AM | Registration open & swim pack collection – 10km Marathon Swim |
| Sunday, 4th April 2027 | 7:00 AM | 10km food stations fully operational |
| Sunday, 4th April 2027 | 7:20 AM | Compulsory safety briefing – 10km Marathon Swim |
| Sunday, 4th April 2027 | 7:30 AM | START – 10km Marathon Swim |
| Sunday, 4th April 2027 | 7:30 AM | Registration open & swim pack collection – 5km Main Race |
| Sunday, 4th April 2027 | 11:15 AM | Compulsory safety briefing – 5km Race |
| Sunday, 4th April 2027 | 11:30 AM | START – 5km Race |
| Sunday, 4th April 2027 | 11:40 AM | OceanKids 100m & 200m compulsory safety briefing |
| Sunday, 4th April 2027 | 11:45 AM | START – OceanKids 100m & 200m |
| Sunday, 4th April 2027 | 1:30 PM | CUT OFF – 10km & 3.5km Swims |
| Sunday, 4th April 2027 | 1:30 PM | Prizegiving – 5km, |
Pricing
| Event | Age | Super Earlybird | Earlybird 1 | Earlybird 2 | Standard | Event Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Apr – 31 May | 1 Jun – 2 Aug | 3 Aug – 4 Oct | 5 Oct – Event Day | 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 - 3.5km, 1km, 500m, 2.5km, Day 2 - 5km |
12 yrs + | NZ$239.00 | NZ$249.00 | NZ$259.00 | NZ$269.00 | NZ$284.00 |
| Shine for 9 Day 1 - 1km, 500m and 2.5km. Day 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 (one registration per team) | 16 yrs + | NZ$199.00 | NZ$209.00 | NZ$219.00 | NZ$229.00 | NZ$249.00 |
| 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 Ocean Swim Series point event) | 12 yrs + | NZ$99.00 | NZ$109.00 | NZ$114.00 | NZ$124.00 | NZ$134.00 |
| 2.5km (MID Ocean Swim Series point event) | 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) | 6-12 yrs old | FREE | ||||
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!
Biosecurity New Zealand
The biosecurity procedure for Lake Karapiro is slightly different from our other events (e.g., Taupō or Rotorua). At those events, we ask you to ensure your wetsuit and togs are clean before entering the water.
At Lake Karapiro, you must ensure your wetsuit is cleaned after you exit the water. This is because the golden clam is already present in Lake Karapiro, and we need to prevent it from spreading to other lakes you may swim in after this
weekend.
To help stop the spread, you must follow one of the procedures below once you get out of the water.
You can either:
-Soak your wetsuit for 5 minutes, followed by a cold plunge, (we will have these onsite for you to use) or
-When you get home, freeze your wetsuit until it is frozen solid (overnight).
You must follow the steps when you move between lakes and rivers: CHECK, CLEAN, DRY PROCEDURE
Safety
All 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.
Amazing Venue
Woody refueling during his 1st 25km
Dave getting a personal best
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.
Gemma - Winner of the 25km Swim
Swimmers in the 10km
Early morning fog rolling down the River
Ocean Swim Time Calculator
* Times do not account for tide, weather, or currents.
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.
Come and enjoy a Swim Festival of epic proportions.
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