A world champion, long-distance swimmer from Australia will compete in this year's State Russell to Paihia Ocean Swim on December 10.
 Swimmers of all ages and abilities are welcome(Photo: Far North District Council; click to enlarge) |
Melissa Gorman (25) will swim in three of the six events that make up the State New Zealand Ocean Swim Series as part of her preparation for the Olympic Games in London next July.
Gorman won gold in the 5km open water event at the 2009 World Swimming Championships and silver and bronze medals in the 800m freestyle at the 2006 and 2010 Commonwealth Games.
Far North District Council economic development advisor Gary Gabbitas says having a world-class swimmer compete in the 3.3km swim can only boost media interest in the event.
"It gives the Bay of Islands favourable television exposure as a tourist destination which the council couldn't afford to buy."
Mr Gabbitas says the council is happy to be sponsoring the State Paihia Classic for a third year after helping to bring it to the Bay of Islands in 2009.
"About 65 percent of the 700 swimmers who take part each year come from outside the Far North and most of those are from Auckland, so there is a direct economic benefit to motels, cafes and other retail businesses."
State New Zealand Swim Series director Scott Rice says the natural beauty of the Bay of Islands has made the State Paihia Classic a popular event in the series.
"It's one of our favourite swims to organise and one of our contestants' favorites."
A carbo-loading buffet dinner will be held at Copthorne Hotel and Resort Waitangi the night before the event and swimmers will be invited to socialise at the hotel on the evening of the swim.
"We're trying to encourage people to stay the weekend more than we are with any other swim in the series."
Also new this year is an earlier start time due to tides.
People competing in the 3.3km swim will need to be at Russell at 7:25am for an 8am start.
As in previous years, the swim will be followed by 200-metre, 300-metre and 1000-metre swims at Paihia to allow people of all ages and swimming abilities to take part in the event.
The State Paihia Classic is the second event in the series which begins and ends in Auckland with the State Harbour Crossing on November 13 and the State King of the Bays on March 31.
The three other swims in the series are in Wellington, Akaroa and Mount Maunganui.
Go to www.oceanswim.co.nz for more details and to register for the State Paihia Classic.
