River swim creates big splash
Growing popularity may make river swim a highlight of city sports calendar
About 200 swimmers are expected to compete in the annual Five Bridges River Swim at on Sunday April 6.
The 7.1km (current assisted) swim will start at the Hamilton Gardens and finish at Anne St Beach.
Event organiser, Eleanor Pinfold, said the swim has its regulars. “This is a fun event that swimmers from all over the North Island return to each year.
“There are not many other river swims in NZ. There is a Huka swim earlier in the year from Taupo. Apart from that we differ because there aren’t any other swims that I know of in the Waikato River,” Pinfold said.
Given its growing popularity it is expected the swim will become a major event in the city’s calendar, Pinfold said.
The previous 2013 winner swam a time of 53 minutes, with the average time being approximately 67 minutes.
Registrations will take place at the Hamilton Gardens at the foot of the Hungerford Cres car park at 11am. The swim is open to anyone aged 19 by the end of the year and older.
WEL Energy Trust, Westpac, Swim T3 and Paterson Burn Optometrists are major sponsors for the event.
