State Paihia Classic, Bay of Islands

Paihia, Bay of Islands

Known as the 'Jewel of the Bay of Islands' Paihia is the main tourist town in the beautiful Bay of Islands. With 144 islands and bays, the Bay of Islands is one of the best maritime parks in New Zealand.

"It's not every day that people can swim in a safe environment from the country's first capital, Russell, to the beautiful shores of Paihia and we're sure this event will become one of the highlights of the series."

The State Russell to Paihia event provides an ocean swim event for all ages and abilities.

• The State OceanKids is for children aged between 6-10 years old and consists of a 200m shallow water swim along the shore line which is lined with Surf Life Saving NZ guards – read more. The State OceanKids takes place on Paihia Beach
• The ‘Give It A Go’ 300m Ocean Swim is a great introduction to open water swimming. The 'Give It A Go' 300m takes place on Paihia Beach
• The ‘Step It Up’ 1000m Ocean Swim is an achievable distance for individuals with swimming experience and could be training for the ‘I’m Going Long’ swim at one of the other events. The 'Step It Up' 1000m swim takes place on Paihia Beach
• The 'I'm Going Long' 3.3km Ocean Swim starts in Russell and finishes in Paihia - this swim is for individuals with swimming experience and have trained to complete this event.

Registration Details

Registration details for the forthcoming season will be confirmed at a later date.

We now offer a pre-paid courier service that will courier your pack including your cap and timing chip to you the week leading up to the event. You can book and pay for this service when entering online or purchase from the ocean swim store.

All entrants will receive:

• A timing chip which is loaned to you for the event
• A swim cap that you must wear or the duration of the event
• A gift from principal sponsor State insurance (item TBC - it is being chosen at the moment)
• A personalised certificate that you can download and print at no charge from the results page
• Other sponsor goodies
• Free Bag Transport Service

Entry confirmation

Entry Confirmation details will be confirmed for the forthcoming season at a later date.

Important dates

Carbo loading buffet dinner

Details to be confirmed.

Prize Giving

Details of the prize giving for the State Paihia Classic will be confirmed at a later date.

Official Charity – Surf Life Saving NZ

Surf Life Saving NZ provide an essential service on New Zealand’s beaches and at the State NZ Ocean Swim Series. They keep all of us safe on the beach and in the water which is why they are the official charity of the State NZ Ocean Swim Series.

Please give generously to Surf Life Saving NZ. All donations will receive a free gift. You can donate when you enter or through the Ocean Swim Store. You can also donate on event day.

• Donations of $5 and $10 will receive a Surf Life Saving NZ 100 Year Centenary key ring
• Donations of $20 will receive a Surf Life Saving NZ toy IRB boat
• Donations of $40 will receive a Surf Life Saving NZ Teddy Bear
• Donations of $90 will receive a Surf Life Saving NZ Centenary book

All gifts will be handed at your event registration or couriered if you have pre-booked the courier service.

Cut off times

The cut off times for the State Paihia Classic are:

• 'I'm Going Long' 3.3km - 2 hours from your wave/group start
• 'Step It Up' 1000m - 40 minutes from your group start
• 'Give It  Go' 300m - 13 minutes

Inspirational Story

My partner, Keith, decided for me that I needed to get into ocean swimming when he gave me a wetsuit for my birthday in August last year. Thanks mate! - Deb Clarke

read more inspirational swimming stories