State Harbour Crossing, Auckland

Bayswater to the Viaduct Harbour, Auckland City

The annual Harbour Crossing is one of Auckland’s most iconic and unique sporting events. The first Harbour Crossing took place in 2004 with just 500 swimmers and has attracted up to 1400.

It’s not every day that all marine traffic in New Zealand’s largest city is called to a halt to allow you the privilege of saying, “I swam across the harbour”. The State Harbour Crossing is New Zealand’s largest ocean swim and is the first event in the State NZ Ocean Swim Series.

The 2012 State Harbour Crossing 2.9km ocean swim will start in Quinton Park, Bayswater crossing Auckland Harbour to finish at the new Karanga Plaza next to the Viaduct Events Centre in the new Wynyard Quarter.

This swim has one swim distance of 2.9km and is suitable for individuals with swimming experience that have trained to complete this event distance.

The first group of swimmers will start from Bayswater at 10am on Sunday 2 December 2012. There will be 5 start groups (waves) on event day with the last wave for ‘novice’ swimmers only. Start groups are determined by the estimated time specified in your entry.

Registration Details

Swim pack pick up/ registration

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

We do 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

Important dates

The minimum age for the State Harbour Crossing is 14 years old. For swimmers under this age that are with a Swimming NZ affiliated club please email info@oceanswim.co.nz for entry instructions.

Entry confirmation

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

Finish Area

The State Harbour Crossing will now finish at Karanga Plaza part of the new Viaduct Events Centre and Wynard wharf area. Swimmers will now be able to step out of the water and walk up the steps into the finish area.

Spectators

The State Harbour Crossing starts in the water at Quinton Park, Bayswater and follows the line of the Marina breakwater before the course leads swimmers across the Harbour and finish at the new Karanga Plaza next to the Viaduct Events Centre. The Bayswater Marina pathway provides a great view for spectators to cheer and watch the action in the water.

The Karanga Plaza is the location of our finish line with plenty of space for spectators to watch and cheer for friends and family literally stepping out of the water and completing their personal challenges.

Prize Giving

Prize giving will commence at 12.15pm, shortly after the cut off of the Harbour Corssing swim. Details on the venue for this will be confirmed at a later date.

Public Transport

Citylink

Citylink runs from the newly developed Wynyard Quarter, along Queen St, up to K-Rd and then back down Queen Street (Return). On the Sunday of the State Harbour Crossing the CityLink will run every 20mins from 7:00am to 11:00pm

Bus (maxx.co.nz)

The closest stop to the Karanga Plaza is 185 Fanshawe Street. From here Karanga Plaza is a 5 minute walk down Halsey Street. For information about Buses to surrounding areas visit. Maxx www.maxx.co.nz

 From Britomart, Karanga Plaza is a short 5 minute walk down Quay Street, on to Te Wero Island and across the new Wynyard Crossing bridge.

Driving

From Fanshawe Street take either Halsey or Beaumont Street onto Jellicoe Street.

Parking

If you're coming from Downtown Auckland, Viaduct Harbour or Te Wero Island, Downtown car park is the most convenient.

• Downtown Carpark, 31 Customs Street West
• Wynyard Quarter Carpark,Entrance off Beaumont Street and Madden Street.First hour free - $2 hour following that.

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 time

The cut off time for the 2.9km State Harbour Crossing swim is 1.50hrs from your wave/group start.

Inspirational Story

First time ocean racer; infact, this was the first competitive sporting thing I had done in 25 years! - jeff whiting

read more inspirational swimming stories