As Ridler continues south toward Wellington, his journey is rallying New Zealanders behind stronger ocean protection, with more than 3,200 people already backing the Swim4TheOcean call to end bottom trawling.
Jono Ridler swims through Hole in the Rock as Swim4TheOcean clears Bay of Islands
By Live Ocean
15/01/2026
Read time: 3 min
Article Summary
Main Points
Swim4TheOcean swimmer Jono Ridler passed through Northland’s iconic Motukōkako Hole in the Rock last night, marking a symbolic milestone in his 1,000-mile unassisted swim to build nationwide support for a healthy ocean and an end to bottom trawling.
The moment capped his longest swim leg so far — a six-hour, 27km effort aided by favourable currents — during which he encountered abundant marine life including snapper, pink maomao and kingfish.
Swim4TheOcean swimmer Jono Ridler swam through Northland’s iconic Motukōkako Hole in the Rock yesterday evening, a symbolic moment in the 1,000-mile mission to build nationwide support for a healthy ocean and an end to bottom trawling.
Motukōkako, the natural sea arch at Cape Brett at the eastern entrance to the Bay of Islands, is one of Northland’s most recognisable coastal landmarks. Ridler passed through the landmark at around 6pm as he continues his epic unassisted staged swim record-attempt from Waikuku North Cape to Wellington.
For most of the day, Ridler sees little more than open water. But after swimming through the Hole in the Rock, he reeled off the fish he’d seen; “Snapper, pink maomao and spotted demoiselles. And I thought I saw a few kingis (kingfish) as well.”
The milestone capped off Ridler’s longest single swim leg of the mission so far, clocking 27km actual distance swum. Assisted by favourable currents under overcast skies, he completed a single six-hour swim leg at an average speed of 4.5km/h.
“Good day. Good tide,” he said, as he same out of the water stoked to hear how he’d swum.
Earlier in the day, Ridler spent time with Matt Watson and welcomed a visit from Fullers, following a planned rest day after a community stopover at Waitangi the previous afternoon.
The team camped overnight at Elliott’s Bay before Ridler returned to the water at 8.05am this morning to begin the next leg south.
Clearing the Bay of Islands marks a significant turning point for Ridler and the seven-strong support crew, with the route now tracking down the Northland coastline alongside places like Whangaruru, Mimiwhangata, Helena Bay, Whananaki, Whale Bay, Matapouri, Tutukaka, Ngunguru, Whangārei Heads, Ruakākā, Waipū, Mangawhai, Langs Beach, Te Arai and Pākiri, on the way to Goat Island Marine Reserve.
Swim4TheOcean is using the power of an extreme endurance feat to engage New Zealanders around the need for a healthy ocean. As Ridler swims south, he carries a clear call to action to decision-makers: end bottom trawling in Aotearoa New Zealand.
More than 3,200 people have already added their name to the Swim4TheOcean call for action, backing stronger protection for the ocean and the habitats that support marine life.
Yesterday’s swim – at a glance
- Time: 6 hours
- Distance: 27km
- Average speed: 4.5km/h
1,000 Miles. 90 Days.
A Swim For The Ocean.
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