No cold feet in Winterless North

Of the total of 720 entered, 625 eventually completed the 3.3km swim from Russell to Paihia in the second leg of the State Ocean Swim Series on Saturday.

Event director Scott Rice noted some simply couldn't turn up "for whatever reason" but a number had to be shoulder-tapped during their race and informed they had run out of time. He noted this was always a heartbreaking decision to make and while most swimmers were philosophical, "Some were bitterly disappointed."

Meanwhile, Rice said there was never any doubt the event would be going ahead despite a weather forecast which saw the organisers of two major events further north get cold feet and cancel their events, being the Kaitaia Christmas Parade and an athletics ribbon day; prematurely as it turned out. Saturday saw a breeze kick in but it was otherwise balmy and rain-free.

The morning at Russell as the swimmers gathered for the I'm Going Long main event swim of 3.3km brought misty conditions which the sun largely burnt off by the start time of 8.30am. No cold feet for these swimmers, the water temperature on the east coast was a comfortable 22 degrees, ensuring the Bay of Islands Classic retained its reputation as the warmest leg of the national series, noted Rice laughing; even compared with the King of the Bays in North Harbour in April.

"Well, we are in the Winterless North," he reminded Age readers.

To the event itself, the race was eventually held in choppy conditions, thanks to a strong nor-east breeze of between 15-20 knots. Australian 5km open-water swimming champion Jarrod Poort proved too good, the 19-year-old winning the State Bay of Islands Classic in 40 minutes, 8 seconds, a mere 22 seconds ahead of Auckland's Phillip Ryan.

Poort made his move about 1500m out from the finish, showing the form that saw him finish in 5th place in the 5km open water race at this year's World Championships in Barcelona.

The women's race saw 15-year-old Schendelaar-Kemp easily winning by over two minutes from Auckland compatriot, Liana Smith, by finishing in 47 minutes 10 seconds.

More than 900 swimmers registered for the four events on offer in the second round of the State New Zealand Ocean Swim Series, a record number in this, the fifth time the event's being held. Apart from the 3.3km 'I'm Going Long' swim from Russell to Paihia, the other swims included the 3000m Give it a Go, 1000m Step it Up and and State Kids 200m swim, all completed on a course set up near the Paihia foreshore.

More from the event, with the focus on the efforts by Far North locals will feature in Thursday's edition.