Harcourts Cooper & Co Swim the Shore – 12 December 2020

The curvaceous coastline of Auckland’s North Shore boasts Pohutukawa-fringed cliffs and excellent swimming conditions, and is home to our first swim of the Series.  Previously known as the ‘King of the Bays’, the introduction of our brand new swim courses was the perfect chance to rename this much-loved event as the Harcourts Cooper & Co Swim the Shore.

From the Ironman distance 3.8km Narrow Neck to Takapuna swim along the coastline, to swims along  the length of Takapuna beach (perfect for your support crew to follow you!), imagine yourself crossing the finish line with the dramatic backdrop of Rangitoto behind you, and the Harcourts Cooper & Co team putting your finisher’s medal around your neck…

Why not make a day of it with your mates and family and celebrate your finish line moment at Takapuna’s vibrant cafe and bar scene!

Swims on offer:

  • Narrow Neck to Takapuna Beach – 3.8km
  • The Full Taka – 1000m
  • The Half Taka – 500m
  • Banana Boat OceanKids – 100m and 200m (7-10 years)

Key Event Information

Course Maps

Harcourts Cooper & Co
Swim the Shore

Banana Boat OceanKids

Distance: 100m & 200m Start Location: Takapuna Beach Enter Now
Banana Boat OceanKids

Pricing & Benefits

Start Times & Event Timetable

Event Day General Info

Event location

The event headquarters is situated at Takapuna Beach Reserve, The Strand, Takapuna.

Swim pack pickup

Multi-Event Pass Holders (you have entered two or more swims in the series).

If you have a Multi-Event Pass, you can collect your swim pack on Friday 11 December between 11:00 am – 1:00 pm from Takapuna Reserve or on Saturday 12 December between 7:00 – 8:45 am from Narrow Neck Beach. We recommend getting to the Friday afternoon pick up session to give you a relaxing start to the event day.

Individual Event Entry.

If you entered the Harcourts Cooper & Co Swim the Shore as a single event you must collect your swim pack on the morning of the event from Narrow Neck Beach. Your swim pack will contain a swim cap, sunscreen, timing chip & velcro strap (both must be returned). The swim distance you entered will determine where you will collect your swim pack from.

Narrow Neck to Takapuna 3.8km: Between 7:00 – 8:45 am from the long swim start line at Narrowneck Beach.

Full Taka 100m & Half Taka 500m: Between 8:30 – 10:15 am from the main event site on Takapuna Reserve

OceanKids 100m & 200m: Between 11:00 am – 12:25pm

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.

3.8km- 2hr 20mins

1000m- 40mins & 500m- 20mins

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

Age limits

3.8km- 12 years and above

1000m- 10 years and above

500m- 8 years and above

Banana Boat OceanKids 100m & 200m – 7-10 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.

The start groups are calculated by our operations team and are organised by speed groups & entry numbers. These can vary from event to event and we are reluctant to change these as it can affect results.

Results

Live results will be available as soon as you have crossed the finish line. The results link will be updated prior to event day

Post event nutrition

Once you have crossed the finish line one of our awesome crew will be there to meet you with some SOS Hydration or water and a Banana. You will also receive a Tasti bar with your swim pack

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 SOS Hydration, you can fill your bottle with SOS or water. Look out for our new water station and stay hydrated!

Prize giving

The 3.8km & 1000m swim prize giving will be held at 11:35am at the main event site on Takapuna Beach. There are medals for overall winners male & Female and age groups. All swimmers are welcome to stay around to celebrate and be in to win some awesome spot prizes including a blueseventy wetsuit. You have to be there to win!

Spot Prizes

Spot prizes are randomly drawn at each compulsory safety briefing. Listen for your name and go to the registration tent after your swim and collect your prize.

Travel & Accommodation

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 a journey and travel on the Northern Explorer?

Accomodation

If you’re traveling to Auckland for this event, be sure to visit our partner Bachcare for a holiday home rental.

Bachcare is New Zealand’s leading short term rental management company and is excited to be partnering with the Banana Boat New Zealand Ocean Swim Series!

Bachcare is proud to be 100% kiwi owned and manage nearly 2,000 holiday homes throughout the country and growing every day. They have a range of holiday homes from the basic kiwi bach, to luxurious stays for those who want to turn event weekends into a full weekend getaway! Bachcare have 21 holiday homes to choose from in the Auckland region. Book your swim weekend accommodation with Bachcare and save with an exclusive offer to Banana Boat New Zealand Ocean Swim entrants.

Learn more about Bachcare here

Safety

Our talented support team from Surf Life Saving NZ will be on the water every stroke of the way and the team from St John on land. Find out more here.

Bag Storage

Bag Storage Area

3.8k Narrow Neck to Takapuna.

Swimmers can have a gear bag transferred to the event finish line. You will need to bring your own small gear bag along and label it with your surname (we will provide you a label if you need one). Your bag needs to be placed at the bag truck at the start area at Narrowneck Beach prior to the event briefing. There will be an event crew member on hand to help you. Once you have finished your swim head to the bag collection area at the top of Takapuna Reserve and one of our friendly crew will help to find your bag – these are placed in alphabetical order by surname. The bag truck will close at the start of the Compulsory Safety Briefing at 8:45 am. This is to ensure we have all your gear back at the main event site before the first swimmers cross the finish.

Please note, our bag transfer service is an ‘all care, no responsibility’ service, so please do not pack valuable items

Main Event Site Bag Storage Area.

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 Takapuna Beach. You will need to bring your own small gear bag. Please note, our bag storage is an ‘all care, no responsibility’ service, please do not pack valuable items.

Transport

One way swimmer only buses from Takapuna to Narrow Neck Beach

Bus 1: 6:50 am Depart Takapuna to Narrow Neck

Bus 2: 7:10 am Depart Takapuna to Narrow Neck

Bus 3: 7:30 am Depart Takapuna to Narrow Neck

Bus 4: 7:50 am Depart Takapuna to Narrow Neck (Only recommended if you have already collected your swim pack)

The bus leaves from Hurstmere Rd Takapuna (near The Strand) bus stop id 3271. Please note this is not a public bus and we will have a team member in hi-vis there to assist you.

Parking

Event Parking

Narrow Neck Beach

There is parking around the start line to drop off swimmers. We recommend parking in Takapuna and catching the bus to the start line.

Takapuna Beach

There is pay and display parking on the surrounding streets and Wilson Parking buildings in close proximity to the main event site on Takapuna Beach.

Harlequins Zonal Secondary School Open Water Swimming Championships


The Harcourts Cooper & Co Swim the Shore is proud to host the 2021 Harlequins Zonal Secondary School Open Water Swimming Championships. All swimmers enrolled in a Secondary School (Year 9-13) within the Harlequins 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 a 500m, 1000m and 3800m. Swimmers will be eligible for both Secondary School and Banana Boat Ocean Swim Series prizes and medals. For more information visit the Swimming New Zealand website. Enter by hitting the big yellow button top right!