Iconic ocean swim to make Bay of Islands dÃbut

The Sovereign New Zealand Ocean Swim Series will for the first time include a Russell to Paihia event as part of the six-venue schedule for the 2009/10 series.

Around 700 competitors including some of New Zealand's elite swimmers are expected to contest the Far North leg of this iconic national swim series. The Russell to Paihia, Bay of Islands event has been scheduled for Saturday 12 December.

The new event joins Harbour Crossing, Auckland, Capital Classic, Wellington, Corsair Classic, Christchurch, Sand to Surf, Mt Maunganui and King of the Bays, North Shore to make up the 2009/10 Sovereign Series. Now in its fourth year, the series attracts swimmers of all ages and abilities.

To help encourage the series to the north, the Bay of Islands event is being part-sponsored in its inaugural year by the Far North District Council.

Sovereign New Zealand Ocean Swim Series director Scott Rice says he is delighted to bring the event to the Bay of Islands. “We were attracted to the region not only for its great beauty but also for the iconic nature of the long distance swim 3.3km from Russell to Paihia.

“It’s not every day that people can swim in a safe environment from the country’s first capital, Russell, to the beautiful shores of Paihia and we’re sure this event will become one of the highlights of the series.”

The Sovereign Russell to Paihia, Bay of Islands event follows the opening event of the series, the Sovereign Harbour Crossing, Auckland swim on 21 November.

In addition to the 3.3 kilometre Russell to Paihia swim, the Bay of Islands event offers a 750-metre offshore ‘beginner distance’, a fun 300-metre tag team relay with seven divisions for corporate, family, male, female, mixed, intermediate and high school teams and the Sovereign OceanKids series involving a pre-race coaching clinic and 200-metre swim in shallow water for children aged 10 years old and under.

"This is an opportunity to attract television exposure for the Bay of Islands which as a Council we would never have been able to afford if we had had to purchase the air time. It will not only provide an immediate injection for the local economy, it also has the potential to be an ongoing catalyst for the visitor industry," council Economic Development Officer Gary Gabbitas said today.

It had been estimated that around 1500-2000 visitors were expected to either participate or head to the Bay of Islands in support of the Sovereign Ocean Swim series in the inaugural year, with a potential injection to the local economy of conservatively around $250,000 (based on Ministry of Tourism figures)

"As an economic driver, the Sovereign series has the potential to have significant impact. It fits well with the council's economic development policy which includes a commitment to encourage major events to the Far North," he said.

Entries for the Sovereign New Zealand Ocean Swim Series, including the Russell to Paihia event, are now open and more details can be found at www.oceanswim.co.nz. Contact details are also available on the council website at www.fndc.govt.nz