Regional Champs Confirmed for 2025-26 Long Course Season
- dale493
- Oct 8
- 2 min read
Upcoming Regional Championships on the Calendar
This summer's long course season will feature regional championships throughout the country, providing valuable racing opportunities for swimmers over the coming months. The coordinated planning of these competitions for the second consecutive year is another positive step forward for the delivery of the competition pathway, with separation achieved for most neighbouring regional championships.
Ahead of the 2026 NZ Age Group Swimming Championships in April and the 2026 NZ Swimming Championships in mid-May, these regional championships will play an important role for those wishing to qualify or prepare to race. Likewise, the regional championships are a key stepping stone for athlete development and an important level on our competition pathway outlined during the Competition Review.
By separating regional championships to different weekends, it provides more significant racing opportunities for clubs and swimmers to participate in as part of their development, whilst also aiding those aspiring to and preparing for the national championships.
Given the number of regions across the country, it remains challenging to have all regional championships separated entirely. You'll see some overlap, but overall it is great to see separation of neighbouring regions to enable more opportunities for swimmers to race across the season.
Swimming NZ's Head of Participation, Competitions & Engagement, Dale Johnson, is grateful for the collaboration across the regions during the planning phase.
"Thanks again to each of the regions for working together to achieve the separation of the long course championships over the coming months. It's a reflection of the positive steps forward we are collectively making to provide more opportunities for swimmers across the country."
The calendar of regional championships for the long course season has been outlined below with a link provided for more details.
Regional Long Course Championships Calendar
2025 HBPB Summer Long Course Championships
Dates: 28 - 30 November 2025
Venue: Kiwa Pools, Gisborne
2025 Swimming Waikato Championships - Long Course
Dates: 29 - 30 November 2025
Venue: Waterworld Te Rapa, Hamilton
2025 Wellington Long Course Championships
Dates: 5 - 7 December 2025
Venue: Wellington Regional Aquatic Centre
2025 Swimming Nelson Marlborough Long Course Championships
Dates: 12 - 14 December 2025
Venue: Nayland Park Pool
2025 Otago Long Course Championships
Dates: 13 - 14 December 2025
Venue: Moana Pool, Dunedin
2026 Swimming BOP Long Course Showdown
Date: 17 - 18 January 2026
Venue: Rotorua Aquatic Centre
2026 SCWC Long Course Championships
Dates: 23 - 25 January 2026
Venue: Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre, Christchurch
2026 Southland Long Course Championships
Dates: 7 - 8 February 2025
Venue: Splash Palace, Invercargill
2026 Manawatu Summer Long Course Championships
Dates: 27 February - 1 March 2026
Venue: Lido Aquatic Centre, Palmerston North
2026 Auckland-Northland Long Course Championships
Dates: 13 - 15 March 2026
Venue: West Wave, Auckland
2026 South Island Long Course Championships
Dates: 13 - 15 March 2026
Venue: Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre, Christchurch
Don't forget that there are other great racing opportunities provided by regions and clubs throughout the calendar that you don't want to miss. Please check your Fast Lane calendar for the list of all upcoming competitions.
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