Entries have opened on-line for the 2022 Swimming New Zealand Epic to be held in Lake Taupō on Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 January, 2022. Omaio is already booked for this week-end but Lakeside Accommodation (07 376-7163) have other properties that are available.
In addition to the New Zealand Open Water Championships over 5 km, 7.5 km and 10 km for competitive swimmers there are a variety of non-championship races open to the general public. The non-competitive events range from a 100 metres for kids to 10 kms. There is also the “Epic Epic” which combines a 2.5 km, 5 km and 10 km event held over the two days. Entries for the events for the general public you can enter in advance on-line or at the event on the day. There are usually around 700-800 entries.
There is also a 4 x 1 km relay event at the conclusion of the second day. This is open to any four swimmers who want to enter a team. You can enter on the day. Some relay teams are serious but for many it is a chance to compete with friends. The efforts put in by individual swimmers are serious but most teams know they will come nowhere near winning but get a lot of fun out of participating.
For championship events, the rules of FINA, the international swimming body, apply. Swimmers have to be registered with a club. Wetsuits cannot be worn if the water temperature is 20 degrees or more and approved wetsuits must be worn if the water temperature is below 18 degrees. For water temperatures from 18 degree to below 20 degrees the wearing of wetsuits is optional. For the non-championship events, the swimmer can choose whether to wear a wetsuit or not. Most swimmers do but there is a growing number who do not.
The EPIC is held on a 2.5 km course that stretches from the Taupō Yacht Club along the foreshore parallel to Lake Terrace. If lake conditions are too rough at the usual course the event is shifted to a course in Acacia Bay North, just below Omaio.
This is a link to a YouTube advertisement for the EPIC Swim 2021.