Halfway to Wellington – but East Cape Logistics Now a Real Test for Swim4TheOcean

Swim4TheOcean is officially halfway to Wellington – more than 700km complete – but as the milestone ticks over, one of the most complex logistical stretches of the mission is now underway around East Cape.  

With SH2 and the Waioeka Gorge closed, land operations are taking the long road south and east while the on-water team navigates heavy currents and limited landing options along this remote coastline. 

Departing Waihau Bay, Jono began the morning swim on Tuesday 17 February at 7:33am. It was during that first leg that the halfway mark fell on the live tracker. The crew cheered from the support boat, while Jono kept his head down to finish the swim before acknowledging the moment, letting out a solid whoop once back on board. 

After returning to Waihau Bay for a short break, the team headed back out hoping for favourable conditions. Instead, they struck strong adverse current, at times measuring 3-3.6km/h, effectively matching or exceeding Jono’s target swim pace and making forward progress impossible. 

At 5:30pm Jono reflected: “It’s been a funny kind of a day. We had some really good current assist when we started this morning’s swim and then as we turned the corner around Cape Runaway the water temperature dropped about four degrees and the current was adverse at the same time. So, the swim was discontinued shortly after that. 

“We came out this afternoon, thinking and hoping based on the current models it would be favourable – but it’s been anything but. Our tide readings have been showing up to 3.6km/h adverse, so basically heading in the opposite direction to where we want to go.” 

The team remained on the water into the evening hoping the tide would turn, but the improvement never came. The call was made to return ashore and reset for tomorrow. 

They landed at Lottin Point on East Cape and were hosted overnight at Pōtaka Marae – warm hospitality especially appreciated without the Swim4TheOcean caravan and full land setup. 

From here, coordination becomes critical. 

The caravan and ute departed Tuesday, taking the long route via the Napier-Taupō Road due to the SH2 closure, and are working their way toward Te Araroa, just south of Hicks Bay, aiming to reconnect with the on-water team. 

A second land operations vehicle towing the trailer – driven by Harry Lynskey, Swim4TheOcean land operations lead – is collecting a food resupply in Whakatāne before heading east. If the Waioeka Gorge reopens he may be able to transit directly south; otherwise, he too will take the longer inland route. 

Out on the water, Jono and the boat crew are working closely with local knowledge to assess safe landing points for the StabiX and IRB. Onepoto is being considered for a mid-day break, with a possible push to Te Araroa by day’s end to reunite with land support. 

Water movement around East Cape is significant. Strategic timing and constant monitoring of tide and swell are essential. Currents will dictate swim windows. Large swells recorded around the lower North Island may ease as they track north, but they’re still likely to influence where the support boats can safely land.  

Seven hundred kilometres down. Testing waters ahead. 

Total distance covered: 702.94km 

Yesterday’s swim — at a glance 

Swim 1

Time: 3 hours 50 mins 
Distance: 13.89km 
Average speed: 3.6km/h