Harbour Swims

The Bays and Rangitoto Swims

Sponsored By The Auckland Central Masters and Eagle Technology

With the emphasis remaining on fitness, fun and community the series aims to promote Water Safety.

The Auckland Central Masters organise these events with the support of it’s sponsors and the backing of volunteers from a diversity of organisations that include swimming, surf, canoe and boating clubs. Both the Police and Coastguard harbour organisations are also actively involved in each event.

The late Trevor Eagle, founder of Eagle Technology, had a longstanding personal commitment to the success of the Auckland Harbour Swims and Eagle Technology Group is proud to continue its major sponsorship again this season.

Auckland Harbour swims have a tradition that extends back approximately 60 years. Both the Wai Wai Shield and the Malloy shield, (the trophies of the first and second races in the series) originate from a series of 3 races that were overseen by the Ponsonby Swim Club. The Wai Wai swim once began at the site of the old car ferry terminal and ended at the Shelley Beach baths. These baths were the home of the Ponsonby Swim Club but were lost in the development of the Auckland Harbour Bridge.

As a member of the Ponsonby Swim Club, Eagle Technology sponsor Trevor Eagle first swam the harbour in 1946. Trevor later swam as an Auckland representative in 1947 before going on to compete in the 1950 Commonwealth Games for New Zealand. Trevor retained his affiliation to the Ponsonby Swim Club, which later developed into the Auckland Central Masters, a club that now operates out of the newly refurbished Tepid Baths with team nights, coaching and competitions.

With overwhelming numbers participating in the annual ‘Round the Bays’ runs during the late 70’s and early 80’s, Trevor formulated the concept for a similar event in the water. In 1986 the Eagle Technology sponsored ‘Bays Swim’ Cup , was awarded for the first time following the inaugural Freyburg Wharf to Tamaki Yacht Club swim.

Shortly afterwards the Rangitoto/St Heliers event, (previously administered under Eastern Suburbs Club as the Paul Kraus Cup) joined with The Auckland Central Masters and their sponsors to establish the Eagle Technology Rangitoto Cup, bringing the total swims under the Harbour events to 4.

Since then, as many as 600 participants have competed in any one event.

Winners are selected from field categories, with overall men’s and women’s winners taking the cups.

Most participants view the races as events of personal achievement, and their friends and family members turn out a huge support culminating in a large social gathering with barbeque and prize-giving at the finish line.

The Auckland Harbour swims are community based with any profit returned to community clubs and organisations.

Auckland Masters Swim Series - Eagle Technology Bays and Rangitoto Swims

For more information http://www.aucklandharbourswims.org.nz