Black Foils and Live Ocean open World Ocean Day challenge with annual Winter Dip

Hundreds of people joined Live Ocean, Jono Ridler and the Black Foils at Takapuna Beach this morning as part of the annual Live Ocean Winter Dip, helping launch a challenge for people across Aotearoa and around the world to get in the water for World Ocean Day. 

What began six years ago as a simple invitation to take a midwinter plunge for ocean health has grown into an annual tradition. This year, the focus is on celebrating Jono Ridler’s herculean 1,367km Swim4TheOcean journey down the length of the North Island. This inspired 73,647 people to sign a petition calling for an end to commercial bottom trawling, the practice of dragging weighted nets across the seafloor to trawl for fish, destroying vital habitats essential to ocean health. 

Today’s group dip, held on the eve of World Ocean Day, marks the start of a nationwide call for people everywhere to take their own dip, to celebrate Ridler’s effort and show their support for a healthy ocean. 

Blair Tuke, Live Ocean Co-Founder and Black Foils Co-CEO said the event was a huge success and exceeded his expectations; “Huge turn out here at Takapuna Beach to celebrate the moana. There must have been close to 500 people get in the water and back on the reserve almost the same again, so it was an awesome community event.”  

“Tomorrow is World Ocean Day, so our challenge to you is to get out there wherever you are around New Zealand or around the world to jump in the moana and show your appreciation and your desire to have a healthy ocean for a healthy future.”  

Jono Ridler said; “This is all about celebrating World Ocean Day, putting a spotlight on it and a great way to get people around something that’s really important and meaningful.”  

There were plenty of Ridler fans in the crowd and he commented afterwards; “The turnout was amazing. It’s been really special to connect with all kinds of different people who followed Swim4TheOcean and to meet them in person.” 

The challenge continues tomorrow  

While the Takapuna event may be over, the Live Ocean Winter Dip for World Ocean Day 2026 is just getting started. 

Live Ocean and the Black Foils are encouraging people across Aotearoa and around the world to take a dip in the ocean, a lake, river or favourite swimming spot over the World Ocean Day weekend and share it on social media using #LiveOceanDip and tagging @itsliveocean.