Fit and famous get a buzz out of ocean swim series

Abby Scott finished the 2.8km King of the Bays. Photo / BWMedia

A record 7500 Kiwis took part in the State Ocean Swim Series in 2013 and 2014 and there are plenty of great moments to reflect on.

Zane Blomfield used last year's series to celebrate a special anniversary. The 48-year-old Orewa landscaper used to be in awe of the wetsuit-clad crowds at Bayswater when he dropped his friend Matt off before the Harbour Crossing swim each year.

He never dreamed that one day he would take part.

In 2011 Blomfield's friend convinced him that he should try ocean swimming and before he knew it he was in training for his first NZ Ocean Swim Series event.

"It was simply a question of mind over matter," Blomfield said of his decision to give it a go.

In his second year of doing the challenging swim series, he reconnected with an old flame, Nikki Heron, and introduced her to ocean swimming.

"When Nikki and I were an item in our early 20s we shared a love of the ocean, so it was fantastic to rekindle our relationship with a new shared love of ocean swimming," he said.

When the couple completed Harbour Crossing swim in 2011 Blomfield had hidden an engagement ring in his wetsuit.

After crossing the finish line, he borrowed the microphone from the event director Scott Rice and proposed to his girlfriend in front of a crowd of cheering onlookers.

"Luckily she said yes as it could have been very embarrassing."

By the end of the next season they were married and have fittingly just celebrated their first wedding anniversary at the 2014 King of the Bays swim.

The Blomfields have a blended family of six children and four of them now also take part in the NZ Ocean Swim Series.

The fourth child, 9, just made his debut in the series, as number five watched on with a promise to do her first swim next year.

There were also a number of famous faces taking on the State Ocean Swim for the first time. Blues coach Sir John Kirwan completed the Harbour Crossing.

"My special moment was crossing that finish line at Viaduct Harbour alongside my mate Rick Wells," said Kirwan.

TVNZ reporter Abby Scott, who finished the 2.8km King of the Bays, said: "For me one of the highlights was the final stretch as I came around the point and could see Takapuna Beach for the first time. I realised that I was actually going to make it."

Special Olympian Sam Muir-James also achieved a goal in the King of the Bays.

The 28-year-old from South Auckland, who has been taking part in the series since 2011, delivered one of the highlights of the series with his performance on the North Shore.

"Last weekend at the King of the Bays swim when I was awarded a gold medal for the non-wetsuit division for my age group [25-29]. I didn't take the medal off for several days, I was so proud."

Scott Rice rated it as a special moment.

"Having a record crowd of close to 7500 has created lots of special moments for me this season but I think the one that is most memorable is seeing Sam Muir James cross the finish line at the King of the Bays.

"I have watched Sam go from strength to strength over the last three years and I have nothing but admiration for this incredible sportsman."