Thank you for the feedback and interest in the Sovereign OceanSwim series. It is always good to get this type of feedback from the competitors. The event organisers are seriously looking into this for the 2010 - 2011 series and they will include your suggestions into their planning for the next series after the 2009 / 2010 series.

I've just logged in to comment on this particular subject, as it is something that has annoyed the hell out of me since the NZ Ocean Swim Series started, particularly given the large size of the Series swim fields. This frustration is based on: 1. the majority of us are competitive and want to measure ourselves against our TRUE PEERS - 10 years obviously produces far too much physical disparity ( i.e. the gaining of strength/ lung capacity etc. , in our youth, to its detrioration, as we age ) - 5 years is far fairer measure, 2. Some competitors, when they approach the end of their 10 year cycle, tend to say why bother, and look for other events with 5 year age brackets.I know I do. Some may even "drop out". 3. Race organisors with large swim fields, such as the NZ Ocean Swim Series, are surely not financially restricted. And even if they were, prizes can be adjusted accordingly.Regardless it's not " about the prize" but competing "on a level playing field" against your peers! 4. Masters Swimming results/records are in 5 year age groups. 5. Major overseas swim events, with larger fields, such as the Waikiki Rough Water Swim, Alcatraz, Big Shoulders- Chicago, Coles Classic -Sydney etc. etc., all have 5 year age groups ( both Male and Female). 6. Imagine holding the NZ Ironman in 10 year age groups - would the same number of competitors turn up? Clearly NO!! Do the same principles apply with the NZ Ocean Swim Series? I would strongly argue YES. 7. I would also argue that the fields in the NZ Ocean Swim Series would also increase if 5 year age groups (Male and Female) were implemented. They clearly would not reduce. I would be interested in other competitors views, plus those of the Series Organisors?

I agree with this one especially for those of us who are a little older. I am definately not as fast or strong in my late 50's as I was at 50.