Mystery trail puts fun in Beach Series

Nick Carroll (leading) has added an adventure run to Beach Series. Photo / Scottie T Photography.

Takapuna Beach sets the scene for a smorgasbord of midweek training

Suggest to Nick Carroll that he might be a kind soul who likes to help others and he shrugs, frowns and replies "I don't think so."

Yet Carroll's primary business objective is to set young New Zealanders on a course for lifelong success with some simple key skills.

As a student, Carroll frequently questioned the relevance of much of the high school curriculum - once he was sent home for his impertinence. Carroll did not believe traditional school subjects were adequate preparation for young adulthood, such as job-seeking and becoming financially independent. He created Life101 - initially a school holiday programme designed to teach teenagers 'real' life skills. "Our programmes include things like CV writing and job interview skills; financial literacy; vehicle maintenance, buying a first home and starting a business - things that should be taught in school or by parents but which often aren't."

Carroll soon realised Life101 could benefit people who had begun making poor choices and tailored the programmes for prisons and probationers.

With Life101 gathering momentum of its own, the restless 31-year-old began looking for another challenge. "My skillset is in event management and delivery - I worked for Total Sport for four years, latterly delivering the DUAL Motutapu-Rangitoto event, which was such a blast! I looked at Beach Series and realised there was a lot of potential for development."

Carroll took over the reins of Beach Series early this year and immediately set about stamping his mark on Australasia's largest weekly multisport event. Every Tuesday from November 3, swimmers, runners and paddlers of all ages and abilities head for Takapuna Beach for a midweek training session.

The events run for 18 consecutive weeks and participants can sign up individually or for a series of evenings, alternating sports if they wish.

"We wanted people to have the flexibility to try new sports or mix up their training" Carroll explains. "They can still bash out a few good times in their serious sport that will count towards the Overall Series Competition - but then they can have a go at something else."

A keen and competitive runner, Carroll has kept the existing 5km out-and-back beach run and introduced a longer 8km option. "This is an adventure type course - still flat and fast but over rocks, sand and with some wading involved.

"The course will be different each week as the tide changes. To add to the excitement - there is a 'surprise' course that runs in a totally different direction. No one will know exactly which nights that course is available because it is tide-dependent, so it will truly be a surprise!" he laughs.

Alongside the existing swim distances (500m-1500m), a 2km option will be available before each of the Auckland long-distance swims, and the team have introduced a 1km SUP (stand up paddleboard) to encourage beginner paddlers - boards are available free of charge for anyone having a go at the shorter distance.

Carroll has nominated Hospice North Shore as a beneficiary - an obvious choice for the man who is passionate about encouraging people to live well.

Harcourts Cooper & Co Beach Series

What: Swim, run or stand-up paddle
When: Starts Tuesday, November 3 for 18 weeks
Where: Takapuna Beach
For more information: beachseries.co.nz