Jono Ridler is joining a group of top international swimmers in Hawaii for Epic Swim Maui
They are taking on a 250km circumnavigation of Maui to raise awareness for ocean health
The swim squad includes 12 swimmers from across 6 continents
Meet the top swimmers from six continents coming together to shine a spotlight on ocean health
Swim4TheGulf legend Jono Ridler is in Hawaii as one of a select group of swimmers from six continents involved in Epic Swim Maui a unique event billed as the first expedition swim around the island of Maui.
It’s a continuation of Jono’s determination to spotlight ocean health. In May 2023 Ridler, from Auckland, successfully smashed New Zealand’s previous open-water endurance swim record swimming from Aotea, Great Barrier Island to Campbells Bay on Auckland’s north shore. Ridler swam non-stop, no-wetsuit, in increasingly rough conditions in the closing stages to swim just shy of 100km in total.
Done in partnership with marine conservation foundation Live Ocean Ridler’s Swim4TheGulf captured the nation and intentionally shone a spotlight on the need for action to address the declining state of the Hauraki Gulf. In a similar vein the Epic Swim Maui is designed as a call to action for ocean health, gathering a group of endurance swimmers from around the world to take on the 250km circumnavigation of Hawaii’s second-largest island Maui.
Jono: The squad is made up of a select group of about 12 swimmers from six continents around the world, all flying to Maui specifically for this swim. We’ll be swimming each leg together, as a group.
Jono: The distances range from 10 kilometres a day up to 30 kilometres a day. We will be coming ashore and either camping or staying in accommodation close to each landing point.
Jono: There are no specific rules but the general consensus is non-wetsuit. The water temperature is about 25C, so it’s a bit too hot for a wetsuit in either case.
Jono: This is my first time to Hawaii. I may be back again in future to attempt a swim across Molokai channel, also known as the channel of bones.
Jono: This time of year, the trade winds are running strong. The trade winds are a consistent ENE wind that blow without reprieve. We are expecting some swell and chop due to the trade winds, particularly as we swim from the east to west around the north-facing portion of the island.
Jono: The appeal of swimming with some of the world’s most accomplished marathon swimmers in a never been attempted expedition was certainly high. Stronger than this though was the underlying purpose of the swim, which is a call to action for ocean health. Ocean swimmers have the ability to draw people into the story of the moana in a unique way. I’m hoping this swim does that.
Jono: Absolutely – Sarah Thomas, who has completed the only 4-way crossing of the English Channel, will be there for a part of the swim. There are also a number of other well-known marathon swimmers, including Andy Donaldson, Barbara Hernandez, and Prabhat Kohli.
Jono: We’ve been told that there’s a 30-foot tiger shark that frequents the waters of Maui. That would be very cool to see. There is definitely a chance of jellyfish, with Portuguese Man-O-War jellies blooming around this time of year. We hope to also see oceanic Manta and many of the other species that live in the moana around Maui.
Jono: I’m joining the expedition for the first week or so, coming back to NZ mid-July.