River swim a welcome return

The Hamilton Masters Swim Club’s 5 Bridges River Swim will be held once again this year.

On Sunday, April 2, the staple event will start at the Hamilton Gardens, below the Hungerford Crescent car park, and will finish 7.1km downstream at Ann Street Beach.

Co-ordinator Eleanor Pinfold said registration will occur from 11am until 12.40pm, beside the river at Hamilton Gardens.

The briefing for swimmers begins shortly after, with the event kicking off at 1pm.

She said limited transport will be provided on the day from Ann St to the starting line from 11pm until 12.20pm and swimmers’ belongings will be transported from the Hamilton Gardens to the finish at Ann St Beach after 1pm.

‘‘For safety reasons, those under the age of 19 on December 31, 2017, are not eligible to enter.

‘‘But fit and active adults who sign the riskconsent clause on their entry form will find on the day that the organisers have arranged enough craft and medical support for them to complete the swim safely.’’

The 5 Bridges annual swim was first held in 1939 and has become a great way to view Hamilton city from inside its greatest natural attraction —the Waikato River.

Registrations for this year’s event can be made online or can be printed from the New Zealand Masters Swimming website at www.nzmastersswimming.org.nz or email Eleanor Pinfold at ele-ross@wave.co.nz or phone: 07 854 9874 or 027 417 021.

Registrations can also be made on the day.