The 2.5km Masters Swimming Champions - Open Water Swim
To compete in the NZ Masters Championships, you must be a current, paid member of New Zealand Masters Swimming.
When entering, register for the 2.5km event and be sure to select “Yes” when asked:
“Will you be competing in the 2.5km NZ Masters Championships in Taupō?”
Entries for the NZ Masters Championships close strictly on Wednesday, 7 January 2026.
All competitors must be registered Masters swimmers and affiliated with a Masters club. If you’re not yet enrolled, you’ll need to join a club first—you can choose and register with a club from this list:
https://nzmastersswimming.org.nz/nzms-membership/
No membership, no start line. Simple as that.
Proof that age is just a number… and pace is optional (but pride is not).
The 2.5km Masters Champs Open Water Swim is the sweet spot for experienced swimmers who still love a challenge—but are smart enough to choose one that rewards consistency, confidence, and grit rather than reckless bravado.
For many of us, the Masters years are the best swimming years. We know our bodies. We know our pacing. We know that warming up properly matters more than impressing anyone in the first 200 metres. And that’s exactly why this event hits so well.
A proper challenge — without the pressure cooker
One of the best things about Masters racing is the atmosphere. Yes, people want to perform well. Yes, there are titles and pride on the line. But there’s also perspective.
You’re racing because:
- You love swimming
- You enjoy the structure of training
- You want a goal that gets you out the door
- You want to see what you’re still capable of
And maybe—just maybe—you want to beat that one rival who always sneaks past you in the last 300m.
No judgment. That’s healthy.
We’ve designed an action-packed lap course that brings the excitement right up to the shore, so you can cheer on all your favorite swimmers up close and personal!
1.25km Laps Course
Key Event Information
Event Day General Info
Event location
The event headquarters is located at – Lake Taupō (Redoubt Street/Ferry Rd near Chris Jolly Outdoor Tours)
Free with your Swim Entry
- Silicon swimming cap (you wear on event day)
- Branded finish line photo (digital sharing quality)
- Electronic timing device
- Water and a banana to refuel post event
- Trained lifeguards to watch over you while you swim and advanced medical personnel on site
Results
Live results will be available as soon as you have crossed the finish line. If you can not 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!
NZ Masters 2.5 km Championships
To take part in the NZ Masters Championships, you’ll need to be a current, paid member of the NZ Masters Association.
When entering, please sign up for the 2.5 km event and make sure to select “Yes” when asked:
“Will you be competing in the 2.5 km NZ Masters Championships in Taupō?”
Registrations for the NZ Masters Championships will close strictly on Wednesday, 7 January 2026.
If you enter you must be a a resgsutered masters swimmer to do that, you must enrol wiht a club, you can choose your any club here from the list https://nzmastersswimming.org.nz/nzms-membership/
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
An area designated to store your gear bag will be available for all event participants. This will be situated at the main event site at Lake Taupō. 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.
Parking
Parking is free in Taupō’s town centre but there are often time limits.
Check out all your options HERE.
Swimming NZ Championships for 10km, 7.5km, 5km and NZ Masters 2.5km
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