Banana Boat NZ Ocean Swim Series The Mount Swim – 30 March 2024

The soft golden sands and rolling surf is the epitome of a classic Kiwi summer scene, so we’re pumping up this popular event to celebrate everything there is to love about Mt Maunganui’s natural beachfront, island and mountain landscape at The Mount Swim.

Whether you’re keen on swimming around Rabbit and Leisure Islands in the long swim 2.8km, setting your sights on the Amphibian swim/run event, or a bit of everything, there’s loads happening in the water and on the sand to make sure you have a day full of awesome memories.

Why not make the most of this beautiful region over the weekend and bring along your family or a bunch of mates! Beaches, shopping, a vibrant dining scene and countless outdoor activities like climbing up the Mount await in the beautiful Bay of Plenty.

Swims on offer:

  • Around Rabbit Island – 2.8km
  • Around Leisure Island – 1250m
  • The Main Beach 500m
  • Banana Boat OceanKids 100m & 200m 7-12 year olds
  • Amphibian – Swim 750m/Run 4.5km around The Mount

Key Event Information

Course Maps

Banana Boat NZ Ocean Swim Series
The Mount Swim

Banana Boat OceanKids

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

Pricing & Benefits

Start Times & Event Timetable

Event Day General Info

Event location

The event headquarters are located at the Mount Main Beach.

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.

Around Rabbit Island 2.8k Swim: 1hr 45mins

Around Leisure Island 1250m Swim: 50mins

The Main Beach 500m Swim: 20mins

Banana Boat OceanKids: 100m 5 mins  & 200m 10 mins

Amphibian: 750m Swim: 30mins 4.5km Run: 45mins Total: 1hrs 10mins

Age limits

Around Rabbit Island 2.8k Swim: 12 years and older

Around Leisure Island 1250m Swim: 10 years and older

The Main Beach 500m Swim: 8 years and older

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

Amphibian: 12 years and older

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!

Amphibian Details

The Amphibian is returning for the fourth year! This event gives you a new perspective of the incredible Mount Maunganui (Mauao). Prior to the event safety briefing, there will be a designated transition area to place your running shoes to change into, plus a towel to quickly dry off if you need. You can place these anywhere in this area that suits so you will be able to easily find them after your first swim.

The event sees you starting from the main event site with a 750m swim, in a triangular course off Mount Main Beach. On exiting the water head up to the transition area where you can put your running shoes on.

The run will take you on a 4.5km run along the beach to the start of the Mount Maunganui trail, around the base of the Mount and then back along to the beach to race through the finish line arch way to the cheers of your friends and family.

 

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

Bag storage area

An area designated for gear bags will be available for all participants to store your bags while you swim (or run!). This will be situated in your individual start area . You will need to bring your own bags along.

 

Parking

Car parking

There is plenty of car parking on the streets surrounding the main beach at Mount Maunganui, however these can go pretty quickly so be prepared for a short walk to get to the event site.

Aquaknights Zonal Secondary School Open Water Swimming Championships

The Generation Homes Mount Swim is proud to host the 2023 Aquaknights Zonal Secondary School Open Water Swimming Championships. All swimmers enrolled in a Secondary School (Year 9-13) within the Aquaknights 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 2.8km, 1250m & 500m. Swimmers will be eligible for both Secondary School and Banana Boat Ocean Swim Series prizes and medals. Entries close Monday 3 April at 11:59pm

For more information visit the Swimming New Zealand website.

2024 Aquaknights ZSSOWS – Event Information Booklet

Enter by hitting the big yellow button top right!