SWIMMING
Some of Australia and New Zealand's best swimmers will compete in the Open Water Championships.
Mike Byrne, Swimming NZ chief executiveNew Zealand's open water champions will be chosen at Taupo as the town hosts the first Epic Swim Festival.
The two-day January festival has been organised by Swimming New Zealand and is sponsored by Flight Centre.
Swimming New Zealand's 5km and 10km open water championships will be among the events. These races will find New Zealand's top open water swimmers and will be used as selection races for international events, including the 2012 London Olympics.
New Zealand Masters 2.5km open water championships will also be held over the weekend.
There are also recreational events with children's 100m and 300m swims plus a 2km and 5km swim for adults.
Swimming New Zealand chief executive officer Mike Byrne said open water swimming was increasing in popularity in New Zealand and internationally.
The new Epic Swim Festival provides an event that caters for all fitness levels and showcases one of New Zealand's most spectacular destinations, Lake Taupo.
"Swimming New Zealand has been developing its open water swimming programme throughout the country and the Epic Swim is the ideal platform for Kiwis to discover and compete in this popular sport," he said.
"Some of Australia and New Zealand's best swimmers will compete in the Open Water Championships." More than 1000 competitors and 1500 officials and volunteers are expected to descend on Taupo in January for the first event of its kind.
For more information on the Epic Swim Festival or to enter one of the events, visit www.epicswim.co.nz.
Taupo hosts Epic Swim
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