Round the Rock

On the morning of the race, the Hibiscus Coast Harriers & Triathlon Club members gather at Matakatia Bay with the same methodical focus they have applied to this event for years. The local community arrives early, setting up near the water where the tide dictates the rhythm of the day. This 2000-metre swim is a direct challenge to the history of the Whangaparāoa Peninsula, an area once defined by fierce territorial disputes over shark fisheries. Swimmers trace the waters where Ngāti Pāoa and Ngāti Kahu competed for resources in the 18th century, a time when the surrounding headlands were marked by fortified positions like the Rarowhara Pā, which was eventually overtaken during the Musket Wars in 1821.

Navigating the Hauraki Gulf

As you head out from the shore, the visibility of the coastline shifts the perspective of the swim. To the east, you pass the small silhouette of Kotanui Island, known locally as Frenchmans Cap, sitting between the bay and the Gulf Harbour Marina. The water here carries the weight of past commerce and conflict; the nearby Weiti River was once the site of the Wade Hotel, a location infamous among 19th-century settlers for its rough social atmosphere and illicit activities. While local lore often recalls the glow of the Waiwera hot springs hotel fire in 1939 being visible from Auckland, today the horizon is dominated by the Tiritiri Matangi Island sanctuary and its historic 1864 lighthouse. The swim is held annually in March, a week after the Red Beach Ocean Swim, allowing participants to experience the distinct iron-stained sands of the coast in quick succession. The route also skirts the remnants of WWII coastal fortifications, where pillboxes still overlook the Hauraki Gulf, and passes near the ancient Māori portages where waka were once hauled across the peninsula. Swimmers may also notice the distinct profile of Crocodile Island as they navigate the currents near the estuary mouths. This course demands a steady pace to manage the tidal flow, which remains the primary environmental factor for all participants.