Capital Classic, Wellington

Freyberg Beach and Oriental Bay Beach

The fountain at Oriental Bay is a well-known landmark of New Zealand’s capital - and a great course for the 750m event. The lighthouse further off the bay presents the ultimate challenge for the longer 2.8km swim, and the lively Oriental Parade provides a 'happening' place to host the event.

Registration Details

The State Capital Classic swimmer pack collection will take place the day before the swim on Friday 28 January from 4:00PM - 9:00PM at the Michael Fowler Centre in the Fletcher Challenge Foyer.

Swimmer pack collection always takes place prior to event day for the following reasons:

• To ensure event day runs to the advertised times
• In the event of strong winds or rain it is unsuitable to have packs outside or to have swimmers queuing without adequate cover
• The swimmer pack pick up has become efficient and effective leaving swimmers very little time queuing or waiting, if we moved this to event day this would change dramatically

If you are from outside of the Wellington area you can arrange for friends or family to collect your swimmer pack for you - friends or family will need to confirm your date of birth and if you will be wearing a wetsuit. If you are unable to attend swimmer pack collection and you do not have friends or family that can attend please email our event team here to make alternative arrangements.

Once your event details have been confirmed you will receive a swimmer pack which will include an Event swim cap (compulsory attire during event), timing chip, COMPLIMENTARY State NZ Ocean Swim Series Beach Towel* valued at $30 thanks to State Insurance

*competitors receive one beach towel for the 2010/2011 season.

Your hand will be numbered in black permanent marker. Please ensure this remains legible until after the event. If you have elected not to participate, you may still collect your race pack but please advise the crew of your withdrawal - you will not be issued with a timing chip.

Timing chips

Please fasten securely to your ankle only. If you choose not to participate in the event, please return the chip to a crew member immediately. Crew members at the finish line will remove your timing chip. If you lose your timing chip, you will be liable for replacement costs of NZD $50.00.

You can read more about how to attach and use your timing chip here

Late Entries

There will be NO late entries on race day (Saturday 29 January 2011)

Entry confirmation

Check or amend any of your details for any of the events during the Capital Classic event day by clicking here and following the instructions below.

Instructions: You will then be asked for your Surname and on finding your entry and selecting it, you will have it emailed to your selected account - Please collect your e-ticket from your email address and open it.  On the top right hand side of the page their is a link 'MY ACCOUNT' please click on this and then on the right hand side of the page there is a button that says 'MAKE CHANGES'- you can then change 'PROFILE' (your contact/ emergency details) or 'ENTRY DETAILS' (expected race time/ Wetsuit/ ability etc). 

Complimentary beach towel

Your  Complimentary State NZ Ocean Swim Series Kickboard valued at $25 in partnership thanks to State Insurance will be given to you at swimmer pack collection. Please note: competitors receive one towel for the 2010/11 season

Event day information

Swimmer cut off times

The cut off times for the Capital Classic events are:

• I'm Going Long 2.8km event - 1 hour and 45 minutes from your wave start
• Step It Up 1000m event - 40 minutes
• Give It A Go 300m individual and team event - 12 minutes
• State OceanKids - N/A

If you do not complete the swim within this time you will be asked to leave the water by lifeguards and transported to the event finish area by inflatable rescue craft.

These cut off times are a necessary event safety precaution and have been put in place in partnership with Surf Life Saving New Zealand and Harbour Authorities.

Safety briefing

A compulsory safety briefing will be held on Freyberg Beach at the following times for each event distance:
Give It A Go 300m team relay safety briefing 8:40am
Step It Up 1000m swim 9:40am
I'm Going Long 2.8km swim 10:20am

Gear Bags

A gear tent will be provided for all participants on Freyberg Beach. Please place your gear bag in the tent, clearly labeled for identification. Please pack only essentials, as there is limited room

Prize-giving

The Give It A Go 300m prize giving will follow immediately after the completion of the 300m event on Freyberg beach at 9:00AM. Winning teams must be present to accept their prizes. Individuals will be in to win some spot prizes from our great sponsors. Stick around to watch the Step It Up 1000m and I'm Going Long 2.8km swim and be in to win the major Pacific Ocean Swim at the prize giving following those events. The main event prize giving will take place at approximately 12:30PM on Freyberg Beach, Oriental Bay, Wellington

We will also be drawing a spot prize to the Vanuatu Ocean Swim & Espiritu Santo Swim  valued at over $3000. The Vanuatu Ocean Swim prize consists of:

• 1  ex-tax Air Ticket Auckland - Vila - Santo Return on Air Vanuatu
• Transfers
• 4 Nights Accommodation in Port Vila
• 3 Nights Accommodation on Espiritu Santo

• Free race and functions entry to Vanuatu Ocean Swim Port Vila and Espiritu Santo Aore Swim

Photos

Marathon Photos are the official event photographers and will offer all participants high-quality photos of their achievement. All photographs will be available on www.marathon-photos.com within a week of the event. You will also be emailed after the event with a direct link to your photographs.

Toilets and showers

There will be additional portaloos placed at the race start and race finish. An outdoor shower with cold fresh water will be provided on Freyberg Beach for swimmers to rinse under from the salt water.

Parking

Parking is available (but very limited) along Oriental Bay. Please arrange car-pooling with friends where possible. Parking is free during the weekends in Oriental Bay.

After the swim!

Results

Results will be posted to the www.oceanswim.co.nz/results by 7:00pm Saturday 29 January 2011. Finisher’s certificates will be available for download from the results page.

Post event entertainment

Details to be advised.

Travel and accommodation

Accommodation

As New Zealand's largest Hotel owner/operator, Millennium, Copthorne & Kingsgate Hotels and Resorts are pleased to be associated with the State New Zealand Ocean Swim Series.

We have a standard of accommodation to suit all contestant needs through our Millennium, Copthorne and Kingsgate Hotel brands. Rates start from $ 90 including GST per room on a single, double, or twin share basis and along. Book using the "OSWIM" rate code and the bill payer will receive a FREE pair of blueseventy goggles worth $35. The more times you stay at Millennium, Copthorne and Kingsgate Hotels this summer between November and April, the more pairs of goggles you will receive.

As well as providing the opportunity to win weekends away at any one of our 30  Hotels nationwide, for competitors, participants and their supporters we have put together some great rates for you to enjoy "our world of hospitality" throughout the series. To access these rates, please visit http://www.millenniumhotels.co.nz/oswim or phone our toll-free reservations team on 0800 808 228 and quote rate code OSWIM.