King of the Bays, North Shore
The 2.8km event starts from Milford Beach, all other events start and finish on Takapuna Beach.
Heralded as New Zealand’s premiere ocean-swim event, this race has attracted world-class competitors since its inception in 2004. Having grown from 300 to over 1300 entries, it will be the finale of the State New Zealand Ocean Swim Series - ultimately deciding the series champions.
And what a venue! North Shore City is synonymous with the ‘perfect lifestyle’ –city living, beautiful bays, and an abundance of parks, restaurants and cafes. Residents enjoy running along the beaches, swimming at lunchtimes, and just taking life easy. A perfect place for fun, relaxation … and an ocean swim challenge! With views of Rangitoto Island on one side and some of Auckland’s prime real estate on the other, this course proves to be both exciting and challenging.
The State King of the Bays event provides an ocean swim event for all ages and abilities.
- The State OceanKids is for children aged between 6-10 years old and consists of a 200m shallow water swim along the shore line which is lined with Surf Life Saving NZ guards – read more
- The ‘Give It A Go’ 300m Ocean Swim is a great introduction to open water swimming
- The ‘Step It Up’ 1000m Ocean Swim is an achievable distance for individuals with swimming experience and could be training for the ‘I’m Going Long’ swim at one of the other events
- The 'I'm Going Long' 2.8km Ocean Swim course heads along the coast from Milford Beach to Takapuna Beach. This swim is for individuals with swimming experience and has trained to complete this event.
Registration Details
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
Entry confirmation
Details of the King of the Bays prize giving for the forthcoming season will be confirmed at a later date.
Important Event Dates
| 5:00PM | Friday 15 February 2013 | Online Early-bird pricing finishes |
| 11:59PM | Friday 5 April 2013 |
$10 late entry fee applies |
| 12:00PM (Midday) |
Wednesday 10 April 2013 |
Online and postal entries close |
Race Day Transport
A charter bus will be available for 'I'm Going Long' 2.8km participants only. Details for this service will be confirmed at a later date.
Prize Giving
Details of the King of the Bays prize giving for the forthcoming season will be confirmed at a later date.
State NZ Ocean Swim Series - End of Season prize giving
Details of the end of season prize giving for the State New Zealand Ocean Swim Series will be available at a later date.
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 times
The cut off times for the State King of the Bays are:
- 'I'm Going Long' 2.8km - 1.45 hours from your wave/group start
- 'Step It Up' 1000m - 40 minutes from your group start
- 'Give It Go' 300m - 13 minutes
Inspirational Story
Alexandra Wilson is new to Ocean Swimming and decided there is no time like now! - Alexandra Wilson
Event Details
Saturday 13 April 2013
'I'm Going Long' 2.8km - 12:00PM
'Step It Up' 1000m - 2:00PM
'Give It A Go' 300m - 2.50PM
State OceanKids 200m - 3.10PM
Entrant Event Day Information
Coming Soon
Safety Information
View detailed safety information for all events.
Maps & Course descriptions
State OceanKids 200m course map
The State OceanKids 200m swim starts and finishes on Takapuna Beach. The State OceanKids will start in 2 wave groups split by boys then girls.
'Give It A Go' 300m course map
With a beach start, the course follows 2 carefully placed buoys finishing at the same point on Takapuna beach. Competitors will swim one triangular lap to complete the 300m distance.
'Step It Up' 1000m course map
With a beach start, the course follows 2 carefully placed buoys finishing at the same point on Takapuna Beach. Competitors will swim one triangular lap to complete the 1000m distance.
'I'm Going Long' 2.8km Course Map
With a beach start at Milford Beach, the 2.8km course follows the coastline around to the finish at Takapuna Beach. There will be six large orange buoys to follow on the swim course from Milford to Takapuna Beach.
It is at Surf Lifesaving New Zealand request that we place a 650m cut off in place for this event. The second orange marker buoy on your course has been placed exactly 650m from the start line. If you fail to reach this buoy within 25 minute of your start wave you will be politely ask to board an inflatable rescue boat. 25 minutes is considered a very generous time to reach this point and is in line with our 1 hour 45 minute event cut off.
'I'm Going Long' 2km Contingency Course - Option 1
The Contingency Option 1 course will be used in the event that the ocean and swell conditions are unsuitable and unsafe for the Milford to Takapuna 2.8km course to go ahead. Contingency option 1 will see participants swim two 1000m triangular laps off Takapuna beach. The final decision on whether to use contingency course option 1 will be made on event day morning by the Event Director.
'I'm Going Long' 2.8km Contingency Course - Option 2
The Contingency Option 2 course will be used in the event that the ocean and swell conditions are unsuitable and unsafe for the Takapuna Beach course to go ahead. Contingency option 2 will see participants swim two 1400m laps in Lake Pupuke. The final decision on whether to use contingency course option 2 will be made on the afternoon of Friday 12 April by the Event Director. Participants will be informed at the Friday evening registration, or by email and text and the website will be updated.