VOLUNTEER
Like all great events, we can’t do it without your help! 🙌
Maybe you want to cheer on your friends while helping out as a checkpoint operator, or maybe you're sitting this one out but still want to be part of the experience.
Maybe your family are out on the course—and rather than just hanging around waiting, why not jump in and help everyone? 🙌
You’ll be part of the action, support your loved ones, and make a real difference for every athlete out there.
You don’t have to miss out—come volunteer and help others smash their goals! 🏁💥
Be the reason someone crosses the finish line with a smile. 😄💪
Let’s make it unforgettable—together.
What are the jobs
You could be a Checkpoint Operator—making sure athletes are fuelled up, ticking off safety lists, pointing people in the right direction, and keeping the course rubbish-free. Oh, and staying in contact with HQ like the legend you are. 📡
Or maybe you're keen to be a Course Scout or a Tail-End Charlie—helping set up, pack down, and make sure everyone gets home safe. 🦺
We also need legends to help with prizegiving, or even join us on the water in a boat. 🚤
You might wear a few different hats on the day—but that’s all part of the excitement and energy of the event.
Every role makes a massive difference. Come be part of the team that makes it happen! 💥
FAQS
WHAT KIND OF SAFETY WILL BE ON THE COURSE?
There will be multiple checkpoints—around 10 in total. Each checkpoint will be either an entry or exit point from the water, and a volunteer will be stationed at each one. They will be equipped with radios, cell phones, lollies, and food. An IRB (Inflatable Rescue Boat) will be stationed at each swim, along with a board paddler.
Participants in the mid or long events, whether a team or solo, will be provided with a special GPS watch for use during the race. These watches will be geo-fenced and trackable throughout the race and will also have an SOS button.
We will have two ambulances available to move up and down the course as needed, using the roads for access.
HOW FIT DO I NEED TO BE?
Swimrun is designed to be achievable for every body.
Whilst the long course can be long, the beauty is that it is broken up into smaller, achievable legs.
All Swimrun New Zealand events have a short course option to give you a chance to try swimrun without too big of a commitment.
In any case, you should give yourself at least 6-8 weeks to train for a swimrun event from a good base fitness.
ARE THERE PRE-REQUISITES FOR ENTERING?
Yes, there is a minimum age for each event distance which is 12 years of age, and there will be a minimum swimming distance you must be able to comfortably complete.
CAN I RACE BY MY SELF?
Yes you can, traditionally, swimrun is raced in teams of two.
In Swimrun New Zealand events, you can race by yourself in all races.
The New Zealand Swimrun Championship is only contested in teams in 2026
HOW MANY PEOPLE IN A TEAM?
There are two people in a team. The team of two will race together from start to finish, both completing all the swim legs and all the run legs together within 10m of each other.
WHAT IF MY PARTNER CAN'T CONTINUE?
If a race partner becomes injured or cannot continue in the race, the other partner must ensure they assist their partner to safety, get help for them and cease racing.
CAN I RACE WITHOUT EQUIPMENT?
Yes and no.
You must race with any compulsory items as stipulated in the race rules; this will usually be a swimsuit, swim cap, race vest and water whistle.
Other items like wetsuits, a pull buoy, hand paddles and tethers are optional.
CAN I WEAR FINS?
Yes you can, but you need to also be able to carry them, from our experience its not ideal but if you believe these will help you, you can use them. We definitely do not recommend them for the mid or long events due to cramping of athletes and the weight of them to carry over that distance.
DO I NEED TO WEAR A SWIM CAP ON THE RUN LEGS?
No, the swim cap can be removed during the runs as long as it is secured and then worn again at the next swim.
WHERE DO I STORE MY WATER WHISTLE?
Whistles can be stored in swimwear pockets, tucked into swimsuits or wetsuits, in wetsuit pockets (swimrun wetsuits), or placed in a belt pocket.
HOW DO I MODIFY MY EQUIPMENT?
You can modify your equipment to suit you needs, you can drill holes in your shoes to drain water out, perhaps you make you own pull buoy, there are basic rules around some of these items. Here are some videos to help you see what may work for you, that's what makes this sport so exciting, when I last did this race I created a very large pull buoy from 2 kickboards and put magnets in them to have it attached to my back like a backpack. Cool huh!!
WILL MY EQUIPMENT BE CHECKED?
Random spot checks will be conducted before the race.
All place getters will need to present their equipment at the finish.
WILL THERE BE CUT OFF TIMES?
In the interests of participants and volunteer safety, there will be cut-off times for all courses.
Cut-off times are generous, so please check the times and locations for your event and contact us if you are worried about not making the cut-off.
If you do not make a cut-off point on the course, your team will either be redirected to the shorter course (if option is available) or be retired and assisted back to the event hub/finish line.
ARE THERE ANY PENALTIES FOR BREAKING THE RULES?
Participants/teams that break the race rules will be disqualified from the event and results removed from the event results.