Jono waits while weather halts Swim4TheOcean progress

The weather system causing flooding and damage across parts of Northland has also disrupted Swim4TheOcean with Jono Ridler and the team not able to get out on the water on Sunday, 18 January.  

Winds that were forecast to reach 30 knots have set in along with heavy rain, increased swell and waves along the coast, which meant conditions were above safe operating levels for Jono and the team.  

Andy Tuke, Swim4TheOcean on-water lead provided this update; “The weather system we’ve got playing havoc in Northland at the moment is caused by the high pressure that’s below New Zealand and the low pressure that’s just above New Zealand. It’s compressing, unfortunately right where we’re parked up at the moment. It’s giving us 20-30knot south-southeasterlies and unfortunately that’s looking to build over the next couple of days.” 

While the team remain ready to get back out there, with little reprieve anticipated over the coming few days it may be later in the week before conditions improve enough for this epic swim mission to resume. 

“It’s looking to turn in the early hours of Thursday morning so we’re hopeful and looking towards Thursday to potentially restart the swim. There could still be some big seas running and we’ve got to assess those conditions to see if its swimmable, and safe for all our support crew.  

“We’re keeping a very close eye on the weather systems, and Jono’s ready to go whenever we can pull the trigger.”  

At the completion of his last swim Jono came out of the water off the coast of Pataua North after a 5.5 hour stint, starting north of Tutukaka. The GPS spot was logged and when conditions allow, this is where Swim4TheOcean will restart.

Sunday, 18 January 

The weather was above the safe operating conditions for Jono and the team did not swim today. The weather is expected to last until Thursday and the team will continue to assess the weather daily.