Competition Wrap - 2024-25 Southern Zonal Secondary School Open Water Swimming Championships & The Big Tahuna
The second race of this summer's Banana Boat NZ Ocean Swim Series was held on Saturday, with the series returning to Nelson for the first time in a few years. It was held at the stunning Tahunanui Beach in lovely conditions with the sun shining down.
Held in conjunction with this series race was the 2024-25 Southern Zonal Secondary School Open Water Swimming Championships, where secondary school students from across the South Island as well as Wellington and Manawatu came together to race in the open water.
Two distances were offered in the championships, with the "Big Tahuna" 3.2km being the long swim and the "Small Tahuna" 1.3km swim.
Big Tahuna Wrap (3.2km)
184 swimmers took on the Big Tahuna challenge, with Alex Dunkley (Roskill) continuing his fine form from last summer to comprehensively win the overall race, finishing more than one minute ahead of the next swimmer (37:58), and Abbey Smale (Wharenui - 41:38) the top female in the water and third fastest overall.
In the championships, Finlay McNabb (Marlborough Boys' College - 42:49) was the fastest of the secondary school competitors and eighth overall, with local Nicola Lovell (Marlborough Girls' College - 45:42) the fastest female and 14th overall across the line.
In the male age groups, Finlay McNabb won the 16 - 19 years category ahead of Finn Bryant (Nelson College - 43:16) and Corey Tremblay (Nelson College - 44:27). Marcell Kepess (Garin College - 46:38) was the winner of the 14 - 15 years category.
In the female age groups, Nicola Lovell took out the 14 - 15 years category, with Nia Linyard (Nayland College - 46:08) taking the silver and Claudine Bennett (Rangiora High - 51:10) the bronze. Lilly Claridge (Nelson College For Girls - 46:43) won the 16 - 19 years category, ahead of Jessica Lovell (Marlborough Girls' College - 48:14) and Keshia Linyard (Nayland College - 50:08) on the podium.
You can see the full results from the championships race and the public Big Tahuna from the respective links below.
Small Tahuna Wrap (1.3km)
57 swimmers were up for the Small Tahuna, with the fastest male and female competitors coming from the Secondary School competitors of Ryan Beardsmore (Rangiora High - 24:19) and Indy Leeds (Rangi Ruru Girls' - 23:51) for male and female respectively.
In the championships, Ryan Beardsmore claimed the 16 - 19 years age group and Dylan Power (Rangiora High - 25:50) the 14 - 15 years age group for the male competitors.
For the females, Indy Leeds won the 14 - 15 years age group with Billie Maskell (Nelson College For Girls - 24:56) and Ara Wyatt (Nelson College For Girls - 27:07) joining her on the podium.
You can see the full results from the championships race and the public Small Tahuna from the respective links below.
Congratulations to all of the swimmers who took part in the Zonal Championships and those who took on the Tahuna challenges. Thanks to Dan, Gaby and the team at the Banana Boat NZ Ocean Swim Series for hosting, we can't wait for the next one on the calendar.
Upcoming Secondary School Open Water Dates
To assist our community in not missing out on the next Secondary School Open Water competitions held within the Banana Boat NZ Ocean Swim Series this summer, please see the upcoming races on offer.
2025 Harlequins Zonal Secondary School Open Water Swimming Championships
Series Competition: The Rangitoto Swim
Date: 1 February 2025
Location: Rangitoto Island, Auckland
2025 NZ Secondary School Open Water Swimming Championships
Series Competition: Legend of the Lake
Date: 29 March 2025
Location: Blue Lake, Rotorua
2025 Aquaknights Zonal Secondary School Open Water Swimming Championships
Series Competition: The Mount Swim
Date: 19 April 2025
Location: Main Beach, Mount Maunganui
Don't forget about our national championships as well and the rest of the Open Water calendar:
2025 Apollo Projects NZ Open Water Swimming Championships
Series Competition: Epic Swim
Dates: 11 - 12 January 2025
Location: Lake Taupo
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