Capital Classic, Wellington

"Around the Fountain" and "Around the Lighthouse", Oriental Bay.

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 Sovereign Capital Classic swimmer pack collection will take place the day before the swim on Friday 29 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 Sovereign NZ Ocean Swim Series Kickboard* valued at $25 in partnership with blueseventy and sponsors' products

*competitors receive one kickboard for the 2009/2010 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 30 January 2009)

Entry confirmation

Check your Capital Classic 2.8km event entry or amend your entry details here
Check your Capital Classic 750m event entry or amend your entry details here
Check your Capital Classic 300m team relay event entry or amend your entry here

Complimentary kickboard

Your  Complimentary Sovereign NZ Ocean Swim Series Kickboard valued at $25 in partnership with blueseventy will be given to you at swimmer pack collection. Please note: competitors receive one kickboard for the 2009/10 season

Event day information

Swimmer cut off times

The cut off times for the Capital Classic events are:

• 2.8km event - 1 hour and 45 minutes from your wave start
• 750m event - 30 minutes
• 300m tag team relay event - 30 minutes (for your whole team to finish)

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:
300m team relay safety briefing 8:45am
750m swim   9:40am
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 300m team relay prize giving will follow immediately after the completion of the 300m event on Freyberg beach at 9:30AM. Teams must be present to accept their prizes. Stick around to watch the 750m and 2.8km swim and be in to win spot prizes and the Pacific Ocean Swim prize!
750m and 2.8km 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 9th - 16th June 2010 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 30 January 2010. 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 Sovereign 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.