The Seamen Ocean Swim Squad

The Seamen Ocean Swim Squad based in Mount Maunganui, Tauranga.The squad swim 3 to 6 times per week (depending on the conditions) year round.There are 800+ in their Facebook Group, approximately 20 regular swimmers (5 of whom we joke as being members of our ‘Executive Team’). Generally there are  5 to 10 swimmers per swim (our longer swims on Saturday or Sunday mornings being the most popular).As our swims are ‘self supported’ you need to be a confident ocean swimmer but not particularly fit or fast as we stop often to regroup and partake in some witty banter (we like to think so anyway).  If you can swim 2km in a pool and have experienced ocean swimming before (ideally an Ocean Swim Series Swim) then you will have no trouble floating (we go with the tide) around The Mount talking 💩 with us. There is zero cost to join and the swims are free but you can purchase one of our Famous Yellow Swim Caps if you wish for around cost ($16.69).We swim for fun, fitness, friendship and adventure (a by product being improved mental health).The thing that Seaman Morris personally likes the most is seeing a new member buzzing after their first lap of The Mount.  He also love encounters with marine wildlife and would never go swimming without his trusty GoPro.  He has been lucky enough to come across Orca twice while swimming now with the last time being a face to face (image show) in April last year.Join the Facebook Group Page for swim details; http://www.facebook.com/groups/theseamenoceanswimsquad
At the end of Summer the keenest members (15-20) charter a boat for an epic adventure/challenge swim around an Island which can be up to 16.9km.  So far we have done Mayor Island, Motiti Island, Slipper Island, Urupukapuka Island and yesterday we did the largest of the Cavalli Islands.  In the future we hope to swim in the Poor Knights and Alderman Islands plus circumnavigate Hen and Chicken Islands.  These trips are run ‘at cost’.