Now within 160km of the finish, the mission enters its final, most exposed stretch with momentum and support continuing to build.
Past Castlepoint and Pushing Hard – A 26km Day
By Live Ocean
24 March '26
Read time: 3 min
Article Summary
Main Points
He followed with a strong double-swim day, covering more than 26km and pushing his total past 1,205km.
Jono rounded the iconic Castlepoint lighthouse on Monday, 23 March – a defining marker on the journey south and a clear signal that Wellington is getting closer.
He pushed on from Castlepoint into a shorter opening swim – three and a half hours and just under 10km, before doubling down in the afternoon.
A long second session saw him spend 4 hours 46 minutes in the water, covering more than 16km at a strong pace of 3.4km/h, as he continues to press down the Wairarapa coastline.
Late in the day he came ashore at Riversdale at the end of the day to whoops and cheers from a dedicated group of locals – cold, tired, but banking another big result.
More than 26km completed for the day, and 53km across the past two – a sustained push as he closes in on the final stretch.
Now within 150km of Wellington, arrival timing is starting to come into view. The conditions ahead will be critical, with the team navigating the exposed and remote coastline towards Cape Palliser.
Support continues to build behind him, with more than 36,500 signatures – climbing steadily towards the goal of 50,000 and the chance to deliver a message decision makers can’t ignore.
Follow Jono’s progress on the live tracker and add your name at Swim4TheOcean.
Projected distance to go: 159.37km
Total distance covered: 1,205.74km
Swims at a glance – 23 March
Swim 1
Time: 3 hours 30 mins
Distance: 9.69km
Average speed: 2.8km/h
Swim 2
Time: 4 hours 46 mins
Distance: 16.34km
Average speed: 3.4km/h
Join The Call To End Bottom Trawling
New Zealand is still bottom trawling seamounts in our own waters, and the only nation still bottom trawling seamounts in the South Pacific high seas.
It’s time to stop being an outlier and protect the ocean’s most vital habitats.
We’re calling on the New Zealand Government to end bottom trawling on all seamounts – at home and in the high seas by the end of 2027 – and to activate a quick transition away from bottom trawling entirely.
We are a nation of innovators and ocean people.
It’s time to do the right thing.
For the ocean. For our future.
Add your name to the
86,881 others calling for an end to bottom trawling!
86,881 others calling for an end to bottom trawling!
Thank you for getting behind Swim4TheOcean’s ambition for a healthy ocean and supporting our call for an end to bottom trawling!
Leave your message for Jono
