Boaties asked to take care when 750 swimmers take to the water

Recreational boaties in the Bay of Islands are being asked to take extra care on the water during the State Russell to Paihia Ocean Swim on Saturday 10 December.

More than 750 swimmers are expected to take part in the annual swim which the Far North District Council is co-hosting for the third time.

Event director Scott Rice is asking harbour users to look out for swimmers who will leave Russell Wharf at 7:25am and take up to two hours to complete the 3.3 km crossing.

“It is very important that others on the water cooperate with race officials and if possible change their schedules to stay clear of the race area for the duration of the event," Mr Rice says.

Security boats and Surf Lifesaving New Zealand lifeguards will shadow the swimmers during the crossing which is being held four hours earlier than last year due to tides.

Crews aboard two Thundercat boats will warn boats approaching swimmers to head between Russell beach and a 30-seat jet boat that will tail the last swimmers and effectively open up the channel for normal use.

"The field should be fairly concentrated in the early stages, but obviously as the swimmers move across it will become wider spread.”

Boaties are also asked to take care around Paihia where three shorter swims will be held just off the beachfront at 9:40am (300m), 9:45am (1000m) and 10:30am (200m OceanKids).

“If it is possible to plan around the event and avoid that area altogether while the races are on, that would be even better," he says.

An alternative 1500m course will be created off Paihia Beach and the race rescheduled to 8:30am if ocean conditions make the Russell to Paihia course unsafe for swimmers.