Corsair Classic, Christchurch

Corsair Bay, Lyttelton

Well known for its invigorating temperatures and beautiful bays, Lyttelton Harbour has a quaint small-town-New Zealand feel about it, yet is home to an international port and is a hop, step and a jump from one of the country’s most picturesque major cities, Christchurch. Corsair Bay provides superb scenery and sheltered waters.

Registration Details

The State Corsair Classic swimmer pack collection will take place the day before the swim on Friday 25 February at a TBC locaiton in Christchurch from 4:00pm - 9:00pm.

Swimmer pack collection always takes place prior to event day for the following reasons:

• To ensure event day runs to the advertised times
• In the event of strong winds or rain it is unsuitable to have packs outside or to have swimmers queuing without adequate cover
• The swimmer pack pick up has become efficient and effective leaving swimmers very little time queuing or waiting, if we moved this to event day this would change dramatically.

If you are from outside of the Christchurch area you can arrange for friends or family to collect your swimmer pack for you - friends or family will need to confirm your date of birth and if you will be wearing a wetsuit. If you are unable to attend swimmer pack collection and you do not have friends or family that can attend please email our event team here to make alternative arrangements.

Once your event details have been confirmed you will receive a swimmer pack which will include an Event swim cap (compulsory attire during event), timing chip, COMPLIMENTARY State NZ Ocean Swim Series beach towel* valued at $30 thanks to State Insurance and sponsors' products

*competitors receive one beach towel for the 2010/2011 season.

Your hand will be numbered in black permanent marker. Please ensure this remains legible until after the event. If you have elected not to participate, you may still collect your race pack but please advise the crew of your withdrawal - you will not be issued with a timing chip.

Timing chips

Please fasten securely to your ankle only. If you choose not to participate in the event, please return the chip to a crew member immediately. Crew members at the finish line will remove your timing chip. If you lose your timing chip, you will be liable for replacement costs of NZD $50.00.

You can read more about how to attach and use your timing chip here

Entry confirmation

Check or amend your entry details for any of the Corsair Classic Events by clicking here then following the instructions below

Instructions: You will then be asked for your Surname and on finding your entry and selecting it, you will have it emailed to your selected account - Please collect your e-ticket from your email address and open it.  On the top right hand side of the page their is a link 'MY ACCOUNT' please click on this and then on the right hand side of the page there is a button that says 'MAKE CHANGES'- you can then change 'PROFILE' (your contact/ emergency details) or 'ENTRY DETAILS' (expected race time/ Wetsuit/ ability etc).

Late Entries

There will be NO late entries on race day (Saturday 26 February 2011) but may be available at the swimmer pack collection functions. Please see website for details in the week prior to the event.

Complimentary beach towel
Your complimentary State NZ Ocean Swim Series beach towel valued at $30 thanks to State Insurance will be given to you at swimmer pack collection. Please note: competitors receive one beach towel for the 2010/11 season.

Event day information

Swimmer cut off times

The cut off times for the Corsair Classic events are:

• 'Give It A Go' 300m swim - 12 minutes
• 'Step It Up' 1000m swim -  40 minutes  
• 'I'm Going Long' swim - 2 hours

~If you do not complete the swim within this time you will be asked to leave the water by lifeguards and transported to the event finish area by inflatable rescue craft at the first convenient opportunity.

These cut off times are a necessary event safety precaution and have been put in place in partnership with Surf Life Saving New Zealand and Harbour Authorities. 

Safety briefing

A compulsory safety briefing will be held on Corsair Bay beach at the following times for each event distance:
'Give It A Go' 300m swim at 11:10AM
'Step It Up' 1000m swim at 11:55AM
'I'm Going Long' swim at 12:50PM

Prize-giving

A prize giving will follow immediately after the completion of the Give It A Go 300m event on Corsair Bay beach at 11:30AM. Teams and individual swimmers must be present to accept their prizes. Stick around to watch the other swims on the day and be in to win major spot prizes (a Pacific Ocean Swim prize) at the main event prize giving taking place at approximately 2:45PM on Corsair Bay Beach and reserve.
Join us at one of these great pacific Island swim holiday spots this winter. For information please visit www.pacificswims.com and to book please contact Jeremy Shanahan on (09) 917 2974 or email jeremy@utdtakapuna.co.nz

We will also be drawing a spot prize to the Fiji Ocean Swim tentative date valued at over $2000. The Fiji Ocean Swim prize consists of:

• 1  ex-tax Air Ticket Auckland - Nadi Return
• Transfers Nadi - Malololailai
• 4 Nights Accommodation
• Free Race entry to Fiji Ocean Swim

Race day transport

A bus will depart from Lichfield Street, central Christchurch on race morning at 9:30 and return after prize giving at 15:30. Bookings can be made online when entering the event or visit the online store to purchase this after you have entered. Space is limited, booking is essential.

Parking
Parking is available in the top level of Corsair Bay. The lower level car park will be restricted to event set up but may have limited spaces available. Please arrange car-pooling with friends where possible.

Please note parking will be very limited around the event location please;

• Be courteous to residents at all times and DO NOT block any driveways or access ways
• Carpool where possible
• Park a little further away from Corsair Bay and walk to the venue
• Allow yourself lots of time before your event start time in case you are held up

Gear Bags

A gear tent will be provided for all participants on Corsair Bay Beach. Please place your gear bag in the tent, clearly labeled for identification. Please pack only essentials, as there is limited room.

Toilets

There will be additional portaloos placed at lower level Corsair Bay carpark.

After the swim!

Results

Results will be posted to the www.oceanswim.co.nz/results by 7:00pm Saturday 26 February 2011. Finisher’s certificates will be available for download from the results page.

Photos

Marathon Photos are the official event photographers and will offer all participants high-quality photos of their achievement. All photographs will be available on www.marathon-photos.com within a week of the event. You will also be emailed after the event with a direct link to your photographs.

Post event entertainment

Details to be advised.

Travel and accommodation

As New Zealand's largest Hotel owner/operator, Millennium, Copthorne & Kingsgate Hotels and Resorts are pleased to be associated with the State New Zealand Ocean Swim Series.

We have a standard of accommodation to suit all contestant needs through our Millennium, Copthorne and Kingsgate Hotel brands. Rates start from $ 90 including GST per room on a single, double, or twin share basis and along. Book using the "OSWIM" rate code and the bill payer will receive a FREE pair of blueseventy goggles worth $35. The more times you stay at Millennium, Copthorne and Kingsgate Hotels this summer between November and April, the more pairs of goggles you will receive.

As well as providing the opportunity to win weekends away at any one of our 30  Hotels nationwide, for competitors, participants and their supporters we have put together some great rates for you to enjoy "our world of hospitality" throughout the series. To access these rates, please visit http://www.millenniumhotels.co.nz/oswim or phone our toll-free reservations team on 0800 808 228 and quote rate code OSWIM.