Bay Classic marks 10th anniversary

before, with 100m, 200m and 300m distances for kids being run under the supervision of local lifeguards.

Founder and event director Scott Rice said it was great to be back in the Bay of Islands and reminisced about a decade of ocean swim events in the Northland leg of the series.

“We always knew there was something special about the Bay of Islands, and that feeling has been proven as we see swimmers travel from all over the country every year for this event,” he said.

“It’s wonderful to see familiar faces year after year, and our team has many fond memories of this event.

“It just gets better and better every time.”

■ The Banana Boat New Zealand Ocean Swim Series runs from December 2018 to April 2018 and includes the Duke of Marlborough Hotel Bay of Islands Classic (Russell) on December 1, The Gem (Omaha) on December 15, Interislander Capital Classic (Wellington) on January 27, Generation Homes Sand to Surf (Mt Maunganui) on February 9, Interislander Big Tahuna (Nelson) on March 2, Generation Homes Legend of the Lake (Rotorua) on March 16-17, and the inaugural Harcourts Cooper & Co Swim the Bridge King of the Bays (Auckland Harbour) on April 6.