Meridian Swim Ruataniwha is an exciting open water swim event on beautiful Lake Ruataniwha near Twizel in the heart of the Mackenzie Region!
The inaugural event was held in 2023 and is back for 2024!!
Key changes for 2024 are:
- Swim Ruataniwha will be held on 3 February 2024 with the first swim event starting at 9:00 am. This should avoid swimming into the sun.
- The Mt Cook Alpine Salmon swim has been extended to 3800m to cater for those training for Ironman.
- The minimum age has been reduced from 18yrs to 16yrs as at event date.
- No limit on the number of entries (2023 was capped at 100).
The three categories for swimmers to enter remain, depending on the distance they're capable of swimming, These are:
* The Top Hut Sports Bar & Bistro 500m. For people who want to start out in an open water swim.
* The Twizel/Mackenzie Four Squares 1500m. For people who have more swimming experience and are looking for a challenge.
* The Mt Cook Alpine Salmon 3800m. The premier event for experienced open water swimmers or those training for the Ironman New Zealand in March 2024.
There'll be great spot prizes and funds raised from the event will be distributed into the local community, for water-based activities in the Twizel area.
Age limit
The Meridian Swim Ruataniwha is limited to those 16 years and over. If you are under 16 years and would like to participate in the event, please contact the event organiser at swimrua2023@gmail.com requesting a dispensation to the age limit. Details to be provided with this request must include details of prior cold water and distance swimming events undertaken and details of swimming ability provided by recognised swimming coach.
Cancellations and refunds:
The Meridian Swim Ruataniwha operates as a not-for-profit community event. Any surplus funds from the event will be returned to the Twizel Community. In the event that an entrant is unable to participate, no refund will be provided. Consider the entry fee as a contribution to the MacKenzie District, to support community water sports and activities funding in the Twizel community.
In the unlikely event that the Meridian Swim Ruataniwha event is unable to proceed for all participants, refunds will be provided less a $10.00 handling fee.
Registration fees
Mt Cook Alpine Salmon 3800m Swim Closed
Online registration closed-
Twice around the Island in a Rectangular Style Course (Ironman Length)
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NZD 80.00Aug 1 – Sep 30
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NZD 90.00Oct 1 – Jan 31
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Mt Cook Alpine Salmon 3800m Swim - U16 Entry Closed
Online registration closed-
Mt Cook Alpine Salmon 3800m swim - restricted entry under 16
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NZD 80.00Aug 1 – Sep 30
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NZD 90.00Oct 1 – Jan 31
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Twizel / MacKenzie Four Square 1500m Swim Closed
Online registration closed-
1500m Triangle lap of the Island
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NZD 60.00Aug 1 – Sep 30
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NZD 70.00Oct 1 – Jan 31
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Twizel / MacKenzie Four Square 1500m Swim - U16 Entry Closed
Online registration closed-
1500m Triangle lap of the Island. Restricted entry for Under 16 at event date
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NZD 60.00Aug 1 – Sep 30
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NZD 70.00Oct 1 – Jan 31
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Top Hut Sports Bar & Bistro 500m Swim Closed
Online registration closed-
250m along the shore of Lake Ruataniwha to a turn buoy and back to start.
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NZD 40.00Aug 1 – Sep 30
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NZD 50.00Oct 1 – Jan 31
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Top Hut Sports Bar & Bistro 500m Swim - U16 Entry Closed
Online registration closed-
250m along the shore of Lake Ruataniwha to a turn buoy and back to start. Restricted entry for under 16 at event date
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NZD 40.00Aug 1 – Sep 30
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NZD 50.00Oct 1 – Jan 31
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Event schedule
- Tue, August 1, 2023 12:00 am - Event Entries Open
- Sat, September 30, 2023 11:59 pm - Early Bird Entries Close
- Wed, January 31, 2024 11:59 pm - Entries Close
- Fri, February 2, 2024 5:00 pm - Volunteer and Safety Briefing - Friday
- Sat, February 3, 2024 7:30 am - Event Day: Competitor Registration all events opens
- Sat, February 3, 2024 8:15 am - Volunteer and Safety Briefing - Event Day
- Sat, February 3, 2024 8:50 am - Competitor Briefing - All events
- Sat, February 3, 2024 8:50 am - Competitor Registration 3.8 km and 1.5km Closes
- Sat, February 3, 2024 9:00 am - 3.8km Competitor Course Briefing
- Sat, February 3, 2024 9:15 am - Mt Cook Alpine Salmon 3.8 km start time
- Sat, February 3, 2024 9:20 am - 1.5km Competitor Course Briefing
- Sat, February 3, 2024 9:30 am - Twizel / Mackenzie Four Square 1.5 km start time
- Sat, February 3, 2024 9:45 am - Competitor Registrations close for 500m event
- Sat, February 3, 2024 9:55 am - 500m Competitor event and course briefing
- Sat, February 3, 2024 10:00 am - The Top Hut Sports Bar & Bistro 500m start time
- Sat, February 3, 2024 10:45 am - Cut off time to complete swim for all events
- Sat, February 3, 2024 11:00 am - Prizegiving
- Sat, February 3, 2024 12:00 pm - Event Finishes
Contact information
- Event contact
- Michelle (Shell) Paterson
- swimrua2023@gmail.com
- Phone
- 027-223-1761
- Website
- Visit website
