Swimrun in Aotearoa: Gear, Events & How to Start

What Is Swimrun — and Why Is It Exploding Right Now?

It started with a bet. In 2002, four friends challenged each other to race 75 km across 26 islands in Sweden's Stockholm archipelago. No rules. No transitions. Just run and swim, island to island, carrying everything on their backs. That dare became the foundation of an entirely new endurance sport.

The first commercial race, ÖTILLÖ (Swedish for 'island to island'), launched in 2006 with just 11 teams. The sport didn't even have a name until 2011, when ÖTILLÖ podium finisher Erika Rosenbaum coined the term 'swimrun.' By 2026 there are more than 600 swimrun races worldwide, roughly 50,000 active athletes, and nearly 200 events on this year's global calendar spanning six continents.

Then came the watershed moment. In October 2025, at the World Triathlon Congress in Wollongong, delegates from 112 national federations voted overwhelmingly to recognise swimrun as an official discipline. The sport is no longer niche. It's sanctioned.

So what makes swimrun different from triathlon? There are no transition zones, no gear changes. You run in your wetsuit and swim in your trail shoes, carrying everything from start to finish. Running typically accounts for 70–80% of the total distance, with swimming making up the rest across multiple open water sections. For Kiwi triathletes, open water swimmers, trail runners, and surf lifesavers, swimrun sits right at the intersection of everything you already love.

Swimrun in Aotearoa: A Sport Being Rebuilt from the Ground Up

New Zealand had a swimrun scene once before. Breca SwimRun was the major local organiser, but the business collapsed post-COVID and went into liquidation. The Breca brand was acquired in 2023, but the new owner chose not to continue. For a period, NZ was left without a dedicated swimrun event.

Enter The Amphibian. Launched by The Event Crew, the experienced team behind the NZ Ocean Swim Series, The Amphibian (amphibianswimrun.co.nz) stepped in to fill the gap and is now actively rebuilding the local swimrun community from scratch. If you know the Ocean Swim Series, you know these organisers understand New Zealand's coastlines and open water conditions better than anyone.

The timing is ideal. Tauranga was confirmed as host of the 2028 World Triathlon Championship Finals, signalling Aotearoa's growing prominence on the global multisport stage. Meanwhile, the Stroke and Stride series (swimrun.org) in Auckland provides a more accessible, lower-key entry point for athletes curious about combined swim-run racing.

Across the Tasman, Swimrun Australia held its first Southern Hemisphere event in Sydney back in 2016. New Zealand is now writing its own chapter. The field is young, the community is growing, and there's genuine space for new athletes to get involved at the ground floor.

The Amphibian Events: What's On and Where

The Amphibian currently offers events in two stunning locations, with a third championship event in the pipeline. Head to amphibianswimrun.co.nz for the latest event details, registration, and course maps.

Bay of Islands Amphibian SwimRun

Saturday 30 January 2027 – Bay of Islands, New Zealand

The Bay of Islands Amphibian SwimRun returns on Saturday 30 January 2027, taking athletes on an unforgettable journey through one of New Zealand's most spectacular coastal playgrounds.

Combining open water swimming with trail running, competitors navigate a stunning course of island crossings, secluded beaches, rocky shorelines, native bush tracks, and coastal trails—all without transition zones. Athletes complete the entire event in the same gear they start with, making SwimRun one of the purest and most exciting endurance sports in the world.

Whether competing solo or as a two-person team, participants will experience crystal-clear waters, breathtaking scenery, and an adventure unlike any other. From first-time SwimRun athletes to experienced endurance racers, multiple course options ensure there is a challenge to suit every level.

With extensive on-water safety, professional lifeguards, medical teams, GPS athlete tracking, safety boats, and experienced event staff, competitors can focus on enjoying an incredible day in one of New Zealand's most iconic destinations.

The Bay of Islands Amphibian SwimRun is more than a race—it's an adventure that blends endurance, exploration, teamwork, and the natural beauty of the Bay of Islands into an experience you'll never forget.

Essential Swimrun Gear: What You Need to Start

Swimrun's defining rule is simple: what you start with, you finish with. There are no transition bags, no support crews, and no gear changes. That makes equipment selection critical.

For Amphibian Long and Super Long courses, mandatory gear includes two wetsuits (one per team member, covering legs and torso) plus a waterproof-packed first aid pressure bandage. Every piece of gear you carry at the start must cross the finish line with you.

Swimrun wetsuits are not the same as triathlon wetsuits. They're designed for repeated run-swim-run transitions, often featuring zip-off legs, reinforced knees, and front-zip entry for ventilation while running. Entry-level swimrun wetsuits start from approximately NZD $230–$330, while premium swimrun-specific suits range from NZD $660 upward.

A key consideration for Kiwi athletes: Rotorua's warm geothermal lakes may call for a thinner suit than Auckland's cooler coastal waters. One size does not fit all across Aotearoa's varied conditions. With over 35 years of specialist swim retail experience, our team at Swim T3 can help you navigate these choices. We offer wetsuit fitting, wetsuit hire, and New Zealand's largest range of swimming and triathlon wetsuits, so you can find the right suit for your specific event and conditions.

Trail running shoes that drain quickly and grip wet rocks are essential. You wear them through every swim section, so they need to handle being waterlogged repeatedly. Pull buoys are used for buoyancy during swims and carried during runs; ÖTILLÖ regulates maximum dimensions at 32 cm x 30 cm x 15 cm, a standard adopted by most events including The Amphibian.

Optional but recommended extras include paddles for swim propulsion, tow leashes for team racing, and a lightweight race vest or bib shorts with pockets for carrying nutrition.

How to Get Started: Training Tips for Kiwi Athletes

Swimrun rewards athletes who already have a base in at least one discipline. If you're a triathlete, open water swimmer, trail runner, or surf lifesaver, you've already got transferable fitness. The key training challenge is the run-swim-run transition itself: your body needs to adapt to switching between running and swimming repeatedly, without rest or gear change.

For a low-pressure introduction, start with the Stroke and Stride series in Auckland. It's a great way to experience combined swim-run racing before committing to a full Amphibian event. If you're a true beginner, target 'The Teaser' (9 km) at an Urban Amphibian event. It's designed specifically as an entry point to the sport.

Build swim-run brick sessions into your training: run to an open water venue, swim, then run back. Progressively increase the number of transitions each week. Practice swimming in your trail shoes and running in your wetsuit. Both feel awkward at first, but they become natural with repetition.

Nutrition and hydration matter more than you might expect. Multi-hour events in NZ conditions (heat, humidity, saltwater exposure) require a fuelling plan that you carry on your body throughout the race. There's no aid station handing you gels at every turn.

Community is central to swimrun. Connect with The Amphibian's community channels and local triathlon or open water swimming clubs to find training partners. And if you need gear advice tailored to your current fitness background and target event, our staff at Swim T3 are competitive swimmers, coaches, triathletes, and Ironman competitors ourselves. We've been through the training, and we're happy to help you prepare.

Ready to Take the Plunge? Your Next Steps in Aotearoa Swimrun

Swimrun in New Zealand is at an exciting early stage, and now is the perfect time to get involved before the field grows. The pathway is clear: start with the Stroke and Stride series if you're brand new, step up to The Amphibian Urban Auckland when you're ready for your first proper swimrun, tackle Rotorua when you want a serious challenge, and set your sights on the NZ SwimRun Championships at Bay of Islands in April 2027 if you have championship ambitions.

Head to amphibianswimrun.co.nz to register, explore the courses, and become part of New Zealand's growing SwimRun community. Across the country, more and more athletes are discovering this incredible sport, with regular training meet-ups, group swims, trail runs, and SwimRun sessions popping up throughout the season. Whether you're completely new to SwimRun or preparing for your next big challenge, there's a welcoming community ready to help you train, improve, and enjoy the adventure together.

When it comes to gear, Swim T3 stocks New Zealand's largest range of swimrun-relevant wetsuits and equipment. We offer professional wetsuit fitting and hire services, and our team has the real-world multisport experience to help you gear up correctly for your chosen event and conditions.

For seasoned triathletes looking for a new challenge and curious open water swimmers ready to try something different alike, swimrun in Aotearoa is here and it's waiting for you. See you out there.