Swimming: Chilly dip for ocean racers

Competitors at the start line. Photo / Paul Estcourt

Hundreds of goggle-eyed and wet-suited swimmers of all ages took to the water for yesterday's King of the Bays swim on Auckland's North Shore.

The 2.8km race started at Milford Beach and competitors battled crashing waves to Takapuna Beach. The winner was Australian Trent Grimsey.

The swim is part of the ocean swim series, which includes races in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Mt Maunganui.

Since its inception in 2003, the annual event has grown from 300 entries to more than 1000.