Banana Boat Swim the Lighthouse – 28 January 2024

SATURDAY REGISTRATION CANCELLED DUE TO HIGH WINDS

After a few years away, we are BACK starting in the peaceful Whairepo Lagoon! Meander down the tidal steps, or jump off the wharf to your start line. The choice on how you get under Lovelock Bridge is all yours!

There’s no doubt that the picture-postcard-worthy Wellington harbour is a firm favourite every year in the Series, and we’re making sure the best of the capital’s waterfront is centre-stage for the 19th year running.

The Interislander  Swim the Lighthouse is set in the heart of the action, starring the famous fountain and Pt Jerningham lighthouse as well as the pine tree-lined Oriental and Freyberg beaches. Your ‘best weekend story’ is guaranteed when you casually mention you swam around the lighthouse, the fountain, or both- is a classical-Wellington brag!

The vibrant event base at Freyberg Beach will keep your support crew entertained with an array of family-friendly activities (think sand-castles, beach games and ice blocks!) and inspiring finish-line celebrations.

Swims on offer:

  • Round the Lighthouse – 3.3km
  • Round the Bay – 1200m
  • Round the Fountain – 500m
  • Banana Boat OceanKids – 100m and 200m (7–12 years)

Key Event Information

Course Maps

Banana Boat
Swim the Lighthouse

Banana Boat OceanKids

Distance: 100m & 200m Start Location: Freyberg Beach
Banana Boat OceanKids

Pricing & Benefits

Start Times & Event Timetable

Event Day General Info

Event location

The event headquarters is situated at Freyberg Beach on Oriental Parade, Wellington.

Cut-off times

For safety reasons and to ensure the day runs to schedule, our swims have a cut-off time. The times vary for each swim distance.

Round the Lighthouse 3.3k – 2hrs

Round the Bay 1200m- 40mins

Round the Fountain  500m – 20mins

Banana Boat OceanKids 100m – 5mins,  Banana Boat OceanKids 200m – 10mins

Age limits

Round the Lighthouse 3.3km- 12 years and above

Round the Bay 1200m- 10 years and above

Round the Fountain 500m- 8 years and above

Banana Boat OceanKids 100m & 200m – 7-12 year olds

Swim caps & start groups

As part of your swim pack you will receive a silicon swim cap. Each start group has a different coloured cap. Start groups are determined by the speed group you selected in the entry form. If you have swum with us already this season please bring your cap to minimise the number of caps you collect and reduce our environmental footprint.

The start groups are calculated by our operations team and are organised by speed groups & entry numbers. These can vary from event to event, unless you are a Multi Event pass swimmer, and we are reluctant to change these as it can affect results.

Speed 1 & 2 – Fastest swimmers

Mid 1 & 2 – Competitive but like a little bit more space on the start line

Comp 1 & 2 – Out there to challenge yourself and swim with friends and family

Results

Live results will be available as soon as you have crossed the finish line. If you can not see your result or think there is an error please come and see the team in registration as soon as possible and definitely BEFORE prizegiving. You can find the results here. 

Post-event nutrition

Once you have crossed the finish line one of our awesome crew will be there to meet you with water and a Banana.

BYO drink bottle

As part of our goal to have a greener footprint, we will no longer be offering drinking cups so please remember to bring your own drink bottle. Thanks to the awesome team at the hydration station, you can fill your bottle with  water. Look out for our water station and stay hydrated!

Travel

Travel

If you’re traveling from the South Island, our event partner Interislander can get you across Cook Strait with regular ferry crossings from Picton. If you’re traveling from within the North Island, why not make your trip to Wellington a journey and travel on the Northern Explorer?

Safety

All Banana Boat New Zealand Ocean Swim Series events are patrolled by trained lifeguards and first aid qualified personnel who are present to assist you at all times.

So that the events are safe and enjoyable for all swimmers, there are some rules for the event. Find out more here.

Bag Storage

If you are swimming the 3.3km or 1200m swims starting at Whairepo Lagoon we will take a SMALL bag back to the main event site at Freyberg Beach for you. Please label your bag and have it in the bag truck before your compulsory safety briefing.

An area designated to store your gear bag will be available for all event participants. This will be situated at the main event site on Freyberg Beach. You will need to bring your own small gear bag and label with your surname. Please note, our bag storage is an ‘all care, no responsibility’ service, please do not pack valuable items.

Parking

Car Parking

There is plenty of on-street parking around Oriental Bay, however, bear in mind there are existing Residents Only car parks in place 24hrs a day and different parking time limits & time restrictions. To avoid getting a ticket please check all signs and follow rules. You may need to park and walk a distance to the event site, but it would be hard to think of a more picturesque walk than around Oriental Bay!

All Stars Zonal Secondary School Open Water Swimming Championships


The Interislander Swim the Lighthouse is proud to host the 2023 All Stars Zonal Secondary School Open Water Swimming Championships. All swimmers enrolled in a Secondary School (Year 9-13) within the All Stars Zone on the date of this event can opt to compete in these championships by selecting their school in the entry form. Championship swim distances include the 3.3km & 1000m . Swimmers will be eligible for both Secondary School and Banana Boat Ocean Swim Series prizes and medals. Entries close Sunday 21 January at 11:59pm

Information Booklet Here

2024 All Stars ZSSOWS – Event Information Booklet

Enter by hitting the big yellow button top right!