A week ago I travelled over to the land of grass and sheep to race in the first race of the State New Zealand Ocean Swim Series - The Bay of Islands Classic in Paihia. I was graced with the presence of two outstanding swimmers in the likes of Japanese Olympian "Yasunari 'The Photo Man' Hirai from Tokyo Japan, nice to meet you!" and George O'Brien one of Australia's top ranked swimmers who likes to do to handstands on his head in his spare time.
We started our journey early Thursday morning from the Gold Coast flying Jetstar NZ (insertion of gratuitous plug just there) to Auckland where we had the afternoon to immerse ourselves in what seemed the coldest water on the planet (probably just 15C) at Milford Beach followed by a very enjoyable feast provided by our gracious home stay hosts, Richard and Sandy.
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| Yasu ready for take-off |
On Friday we started our supposed three hour drive from Auckland to Paihia after enjoying a scrumptious Eggs Benedict (the true traveller's chosen breakfast) and a quick paddle in Auckland City. Lucky that we enjoyed those tenderly poached eggs smothered in rich, moist hollandaise sauce as the drive took just under seven hours to complete due to a fatality on the road just outside of Whangarei. Thoughts are with the families of those affected.
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| The true traveller's choice of breakfast - Eggs Benny |
None the less we were greeted by this at our timely arrival of 7pm, hungry and weary but nothing a brisk dip in the balmy 16C water, a steak burger with delectable smashies and a few beds with hospitality provided by Nateele and Gerry couldn't fix:
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| The view on arrival |
The race itself was a 3.3Km crossing of the Bay of Islands, departing from Russell and tracking in a straight line to Paihia Beach. On this particular day, the tide was ebbing strongly against our left side, while the wind was blowing directly opposite from our right side and a nice little sweep flowing in the opposite direction of the tide greeted us in the last few hundred metres of the race. Perfect conditions really... The opportunist was poised to be rewarded greatly. We even had a big grandstand arena created by the anchored P&O Sea Princess!
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| Race Course |
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| The morning of the event |
We were treated to a short ferry ride across the bay (rather than swimming to the start line) in time for a 1.15pm race start. 700 people competed in this race with the elites departing in the first wave. We all got off to a good start and quickly established a lead pack with Yasu, George, Phillip Ryan, Troy Balvert and myself hustling each other. Multiple attempts by Troy, George and Phillip were made to break the pack up however nothing ever seemed to eventuate. In a flash we were towards the end of the 3.3Km with Yasu and Phillip taking a right hand line, while George and I seemed to go slightly to the left. I slotted in to a slick 4th, a few seconds off the podium. Congratulations to Yasu on the win and George and Philip on rounding off the podium!
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| Finishing |
Top 5 Men's Race & Series:
1. Yasunari Hirai 43.59
2. George O'Brien 44.14
3. Phillip Ryan 44.26
4. Michael Sheil 44.33
5. Troy Balvert 44.46
And just like that, 45 minutes later it was all over and soon after we were back in the car on the way home, making a couple of pitstops to check out some truly beautiful scenery. Most of which these lads slept through!
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| Somewhere on the North Island |
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| Strong travel form... |
Overall the trip and race itself was thoroughly enjoyable and one that I can build on as the series progresses. As usual, Scott and his team at Quantum Events have put on an incredibly well run and enticing series, not only for we elites but for the hundreds and thousands of age groupers that will compete in each race this season. All the best to each and everyone one of them!
A big shout out to State Insurance, Jetstar NZ, blueseventy and all of the team that makes the series possible. A special thank you to Richard & Sandy, Nateele and Gerry and Laura for their hospitality and help for this round.
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| Travel & race equipment provided by Jetstar NZ & blueseventy |
A pictorial can be viewed
here.
The television show race recap can be viewed below:
Chur bro!
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