With strong support from the team and local boats, momentum is building despite more challenging conditions forecast for the next swim.
Mission Milestone: First Seven-Hour Swim
By Live Ocean
17/01/2026
Read time: 3 min
Article Summary
Main Points
The Swim4TheOcean mission reached a major milestone with its first seven-hour swim, covering 22.4km in favourable currents along the Northland coast.
Starting near Helena Bay, Jono Ridler swam past Mimiwhāngata, Whananaki and Matapouri, overcoming early wind and swell before finishing near Tutukaka as conditions eased at sunset.
The Swim4TheOcean mission marked its first seven-hour swim today, taking advantage of favourable currents.
Setting off from the pin drop off Helena Bay just before 1pm, Jono Ridler swam for seven hours straight, passing Mimiwhāngata Bay, Whananaki, and Matapouri, before finishing at 8pm about 6km north of Tutukaka.
Early in the swim, he battled wind chop and swell before conditions settled at sunset. Jono and the team are enjoying the sense of momentum building, with boats coming out to support along the way.
Friday, 16 January
Time: 7 hours
Distance: 22.4km
Speed: 3:20km/h
Saturday, 17 January
A single swim is planned from 1pm to 7pm, with wind and currents expected to make conditions challenging for Jono. The weather remains under close watch over the next few days.
Conditions
Sea state: Increasing sea state, challenging conditions
Weather: Southerly flow, moving to the East
1,000 Miles. 90 Days.
A Swim For The Ocean.
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