Q & A: Scott Rice

Ocean Swim Series director Scott Rice. Photo / Bradley Ambrose

The Ocean Swim Series began in 2006 after two years of running the Harbour Crossing and the King of the Bays swims as stand-alone events.

These now form part of the State NZ Ocean Swim Series as race one and six respectively. The series began with 3500-4000 entries and has now risen to 5500-6000 per summer.

We caught up with race director and former New Zealand swimming rep Scott Rice to explain what makes the series so popular and get some advice for the weekend warriors.

Where did the inspiration for the State ocean series come from?
I have always had a love for swimming. I was a competitive swimmer for 13 years and swam for New Zealand back in 1999. I also had a passion and flair for running events, so put the two together. When I was presented the opportunity in late 2005 to expand from two Auckland events to a national series of events, I jumped at the chance and the New Zealand Ocean Swim Series was born.

What makes the Paihia Classic so special?
It is set in a beautiful location, great people, supportive and proactive council to deal with and of course a very iconic "I'm Going Long" swim. To say you have swum from New Zealand's first capital across to Paihia is not something too many people can claim.

How much training is required for an "I'm Going Long" swim for the average swimmer?
If you have swum regularly your whole life or have been a competitive swimmer in your younger years, the build-up won't be as long. I would suggest maybe three times a week for four to six weeks, depending on ability, and four to five ocean swim sessions, or practice open-water races prior to event day.

If you are relatively new to swimming these distances or haven't had much experience in the open water, I would recommend doing a number of shorter swims (300m- 1000m) in the ocean first. The State Beach Series in Auckland every Tuesday is the perfect event to gain confidence at these sorts of distances.

What advice do you offer newcomers to the long swim?
Familiarisation and preparation are the keys. By practicing in the open water prior to the big day and having a structured training regime leading into the event, you will feel more at ease on the start line. With the longer swims of 2.6km-3.3km, you need to pace yourself. Start at a comfortable pace and a pace you think you can hold for the entire race. Navigation is also key. If you don't navigate well, you could find yourself going off course and swimming far more distance than you needed to. Lift your head every six to eight strokes to ensure you are heading toward the next marker buoy or sight marker.

What are the benefits of swimming for weekend warriors?
Swimming is hard to beat as a low-impact exercise - we have a number of [people who are] over 80 years old regularly taking part.

Do you have any stories of how this series has changed lives?
Rodney Hide was one. I was impressed by his doggedness. When I first saw him swim, I had serious concerns about him being about to swim across Auckland Harbour in the State Harbour Crossing. But he was determined. He trained hard, got stroke correction and swam regularly in Lake Hayes down south to prepare. Race day arrived and he failed to make it across in the time frame we allow. Did he give up? No. He came back the following year, having completed more training, lost more weight and finished in Auckland City to a roaring crowd and his arms raised in a V.