Swimming: Major anniversary in swimming event

Participants prepare to take a plunge at the 2014 Ocean Swim in the Bay of Islands. Photo / Simon Watts

The Bay of Islands Classic swim will herald the start of the popular 2015/16 New Zealand Ocean Swim Series tomorrow, and this year marks a special milestone in the events' history.

It will be the 10th anniversary for the series, a milestone that event founder and organiser, Scott Rice is extremely proud to have reached.

"When I started this series all those years ago I had very high hopes but I had no idea that my team and I would still be going strong a decade later," Rice said.

"It has been fantastic to watch this series blossom from a couple of swims to a much loved, nationwide series. Whilst the series has definitely grown, so have the participant's abilities and enthusiasm to take the plunge. It just goes to show that Kiwis of all ages and abilities love swimming and testing their own abilities in the water."

The Bay of Islands Classic is the first of seven events in the 2015/16 New Zealand Ocean Swim Series.

This season will mark the debut of two exciting, new events; the Christchurch Crown (which will replace the La Grande swim in Akaroa) and the Legend of the Lake (Rotorua). Remaining events will also include fan-favourites; the Harbour Crossing (Auckland), Capital Classic (Wellington), Sand to Surf (Mt Maunganui) and the King of the Bays (Auckland).

Distances at the Bay of Islands Classic will include; the 300m 'Give it A Go' and the 3.3km 'I'm Going Long'.

For youngsters (aged 7-13 years) there is the 200m 'OceanKids' event, with the participants eligible to join the Jetstar Super Swim Squad. The squad is made up of age group winners from throughout the season and involves attendance at an end of season training camp in Auckland with top name elite swimmers and coaches. Airfares and accommodation will be provided by Jetstar for children and a caregiver.

This much loved series caters for swimmers of all skill sets and offers an opportunity for recreational swimmers to take the plunge with some top name swimming elite.