Mount ocean swim makes a splash

Competitors at the event on Saturday. Supplied photos.

Around 1,000 swimmers aged seven to 82 years old have conquered the surf at Mount Maunganui last Saturday and all in the name of the coveted Sand to Surf competition.

For the 12th year, Bay of Plenty has hosted the four course event with distances designed for swimmers of all abilities including children, those looking for a personal challenge and the more competitive long distance swimmers.

Winning in the men's division was Rotorua's Davey Boles and in women's, Stefannie Gillespie from Dunedin.

The results mirror those secured at the Donnelley Sawmillers Legend of the Lake swimming event in Rotorua last month, where both swimmers took out the big titles there as well.

Davey Boles, men's winner.

Stefannie Gillespie, women's winner.

Event Director Scott Rice says the event is one of the most popular in the seven-swim season, attracting people from all walks of life to the only fresh water swim in the series.

'This year we have a huge range of swimmers, from youngsters who are setting their sights on their first big swim, to those smashing a personal goal, to some more seasoned swimmers who do it every year and that's the great thing about this type of event, anyone who puts their mind to it can cross that finish line,” says Scott.

Kevin Atkinson, Chief Executive at Generation Homes says the company prides itself on building quality homes and an ability to create safe, fun, healthy and connected communities.

'The Banana Boat Ocean Swim Series presented an opportunity for us to get behind a nationwide grassroots sporting event that encourages people to have fun in the sun while being safe in the water,” says Kevin.

'The level of camaraderie that open water swims build among competitors and supporters is truly uplifting. Each event is an open invitation for people of all ages and abilities to support each other, get active and give swimming a go.”

The Banana Boat Ocean Swim Series runs from November 2017 to April 2018.

It includes the Auckland Harbour Crossing on November 18, Duke of Marlborough Hotel Bay of Islands Classic in Paihia on December 16, Interislander Capital Classic in Wellington on January 28, Donelley Sawmillers Legend of the Lake in Rotorua on February 17, Generation Homes Sand to Surf Mount Maunganui on March 10, Interislander Big Tahuna in Nelson on March 31, and the King of the Bays in Auckland on April 14.

RESULTS:

Mens Top 3 Finishers:

1) Davey Boles (00:29:34) from Rotorua

2) Luke Kelly (00:30:39) from Nelson – won the Wellington event

3) Luke Mitchell (00:30:44) from Cambridge

Womens Top 3 Finishers:

1) Stefannie Gillespie (00:31:36) from Dunedin

2) Mia Pugh (00:33:00) from Tauranga

3) Hannah Blackwood (00:33:04) from Cambridge

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