Ocean Swim
The Ocean Swim event option is one of our original race options. Ocean Swimming has been going through a huge growth period over the last few years with events such as the State Ocean Swim Series providing great profile for the sport. Our Wednesday evening ocean swim series is a great way to get some open water race experience as you build up to taking part in Le Grand Swim which is the Christchurch round of the State Ocean Swim Series to be held in Akaroa. We aim to provide a race option for swimmers of all abilities whether you are in your first summer of ocean swimming or have been doing it for years.
We also hold a number of ocean swim clinics and co-ordinate a Saturday morning social swim group. More information about both of these can be found on our training page.
 |
 |
 |
Race Options
Long Swim
Suited for experienced ocean swimmers and swimmers who are planning to enter the ‘Go Long’ events in the State Ocean Swim Series. Our long course race option is aimed at building the distances throughout the summer in preparation for Le Grand Swim. Our swim course is usually a multi-lap swim with a single lap being the equivalent of the Short Course, the Long course swim is usually three laps of this course.
Medium Swim
Our Medium Ocean Swim option caters for swimmers who are comfortable in the water but are still building their level of experience with ocean swimming. The numbers in this event are often less than the Long Course Swim so therefore the race start isn’t usually as vigorous.
Short Swim
The Short Course Ocean Swim is an event that we added in a couple of years ago when the race distances started to get longer. This race option is targeted at first time ocean swimmers, it is an opportunity to get a taste of Ocean Swim racing without huge numbers of other competitors. The distances are achievable and there is no rush to finish the swim, you can just take your time to complete the course. The Short Course swim will be the last wave of swimmers to leave the beach.
Dates & Distances
| Date | Super Short Course | Short Course | Long Course | Venue |
| 25th Jan 2012 | 350m | 700m | 1050m | Corsair Bay |
| 1st Feb 2012 | 400m | 800m | 1200m | Corsair Bay |
| 8th Feb 2012 | 450m | 900m | 1350m | Corsair Bay |
| 15th Feb 2012 | 400m | 800m | 1600m | Corsair Bay |
| 22nd Feb 2012 | 500m | 1000m | 2000m | Corsair Bay |
| 29th Feb 2012 | 550m | 1100m | 2200m | Corsair Bay |
| 7th March 2012 | 600m | 1200m | 1800m | Corsair Bay |
| 14th March 2012 | 550m | 1100m | 1650m | Corsair Bay |
Course Descriptions
Corsair Bay
 Click to enlarge |
The swim course at Corsair Bay will be set as a triangular shaped course clearly marked using buoys. Swimmers will start on the beach (unless it is high tide) and swim around the course in a clockwise direction. Super short course swimmers will complete 1 lap, Short course swimmers will complete two laps & Long course swimmers will complete 3 laps. At the end of the swim there is a short run up the ramp to the finish line. |
Categories
All Ocean Swim events will be separated into 10 year age brackets. You will be allocated into age groups based on your age as of January 1st 2011.
Prizes
There will be a brief spot prize giving following each weeks race. Major spot prizes will be given out at the final prize giving, to be eligible for the major spot prizes competitors must compete in at least 5 of the 8 events.
Points will be allocated for both overall series champions and category champions. At this stage we are unsure if we will be able to award performance prizes for every race option.
Series Points
Each week points will be allocated to every competitor based on their placing in their race. We will allocate points for overall placing in an event and for your placing in your category. At the end of the series the points from your best 5 events will count towards your total. Points are allocated as below:
| Position | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th | 9th | 10th + |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. Points | 20 | 18 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
Event Numbers
This year there will be no restriction of entry numbers for the Ocean Swim events, however we will be limiting the total number of competitors across all events to 250.
Special Terms & Conditions
All Swimmers are required to wear the Surf n Turf swim cap when in the water this is a compulsory item for this years series, participants who purchase a season entry will receive this with their entry fee. For those who choose to enter week by week will have the ability to purchase one of these for $5. Wetsuits are not compulsory but are recommended, if you haven’t got a swimming specific wetsuit you can purchase them from The Frontrunner on the corner of Lichfield & Colombo Streets.
It is recommended that swimmers seed themselves on the start line with confident swimmers at the front and less confident swimmers to the back and sides, this is to prevent anyone getting injured during the swim start.
No sharp jewelry is to be worn in the swim as this may cause harm to other competitors and their equipment.
Follow Us!