Event Info

2025 EVENT INFO

Starting at the Hamilton Gardens, swimmers will make their way down the picturesque Waikato river, under five iconic Hamilton bridges, ending at Ann Street Park for a photo-worthy finish through the chute.

The distance is 7.1km, but with the assistance of the river’s current it’s the equivalent of a 3km swim – achievable for most swimming abilities!

event schedule

  • 8:00am-9:30am Registration
  • 8:30am Bus transport leaves finish area (must be registered)
  • 9:35am Event briefing
  • 10:00am Swim begins
  • 12:00pm Prizegiving and spot prizes


registration

Participants are required to sign in on the day. Registration will take place between 8:00am–9:30am on Sunday 9th March 2025 at the Hamilton Gardens off Hungerford Crescent, beside Turtle Lake Carpark (please see map below for reference).

Entrants are encouraged to register and complete payment prior to the event date, however late entries will also be accepted on the day up until 9:30am. The entry cost is $40 until Wednesday 5th March 2025 – late entries on the event date will incur a $10 late fee, with full payment of $50 required in cash on the day.

BUS TRANSPORTATION

There will be a bus transport option from the finish area at Ann Street to the start area at the Hamilton Gardens. The bus will depart at the Finish area at 8:30am sharp.

NOTE you must choose the bus option when registering online for the swim. There is an additional $5 cost. Only 68 seats are available.

Prizes and Awards

First female and first male winners will receive a prize for their achievement and have their names engraved on the event cup. A variety of spot prizes from our generous sponsors will be available to all participants (drawn randomly). You must be in attendance to claim your prize.

LOCATION

Registration/sign in and the swim start will take place at the Hamilton Gardens off Hungerford Crescent, beside the carpark, as indicated on the map below.

distance and route

Starting at the Hamilton Gardens, the picturesque swim takes you along the Waikato river, under five central Hamilton bridges, finishing up at Ann Street Park, past Fairfield Bridge. The distance is 7.1km, but with the assistance of the river’s current it’s the equivalent of a 3km swim.

The swim finish is at Ann Street Park. Swimmers must exit the river through the two safety buoys in the river, up the stairs onto the grass and right through the finishing chute. Final times are taken at the marked finish line.

About the Event

Please make sure you read the safety information on this page and at registration. Safety instructions will be read out before the event start.

  • Wetsuits are not compulsory, but recommended.
  • All participants in the 5 Bridges River Swim must be 15 years of age or older on event day (as at 9th March 2025). Swimmers under the age of 15 that wish to compete will be considered on a case by case basis, with the event organiser having final say. Please call Euan on 021 325 863 to enquire.
  • There will be a bus transport option from the finish area at Ann Street to the start area at the Hamilton Gardens – note, you must choose the bus option when registering for the swim.
  • Organisers will provide an optional bag transport from the start to the finish. The 5 Bridges River Swim accepts no liability for lost or stolen goods.
  • Participants are required to bring and wear their own bright swimming cap (caps will not be provided this year). A funky cap competition will take place on the day, with a prize awarded to the most funky/bright cap at prizegiving.
  • We recommend that all participants arrive to the starting area at the Hamilton Gardens early to make sure you are signed in at the registration tent with plenty of time to prepare before the event start.
  • This event will be timed professionally by the team at Simple Race Timing. Results will be posted on the Facebook page and here on the website within two days of the event.
  • Participants must be competent swimmers. For safety reasons any swimmer that has not finished within 90 minutes will be assisted out of the river by the safety boats. The average time last year was 65 minutes, but this can vary depending on the current on the day.
  • Two motor boats, kayaks and canoes will accompany swimmers for safety. Medical personnel (including St John’s Ambulance) will also be on site during the event.
  • Competitors are permitted to have their own safety kayak or canoe accompany them. All paddlers are required to wear a buoyancy vest or life jacket and attend boaters briefing at 9:15am.
  • All Marshals and Water Safety Personnel instructions must be followed.
  • All entries are non refundable. In the case of the event being cancelled for safety reasons or a natural disaster, entry fees will not be refunded or transferred. Environmental cancellations will be notified by email and a post on the Facebook page, or phone us on 021 325 863 if you are uncertain.