We wrapped up the open‑water swim season this morning with Race 4 of the Rylock Windows & Doors 5km Challenge, the final and most demanding event in this year’s series. Swimmers had the choice of taking on the full 5 km endurance course or the shorter 2 km option, creating a great mix of goals and abilities across the field. Check‑in began just before sunrise but by the time everyone was heading to the water the conditions were perfect, with calm seas and a light overcast sky setting the tone for a strong finish to the season.

A total of 61 swimmers took part, 37 in the long course and 24 in the short. In the long course, Eduardo Swain was the overall winner and first male home in an impressive 1:03:59.3, followed by Chris Smithers and Max Stanton. The first female was Tegen Stewart, finishing strongly in 1:08:39.7. Over the short course, Keshia Linyard claimed the overall win and first female in 35:21.9, with Chris Vincent just one second behind to take first male, and Roger Matheson rounding out the top three.

A huge thank‑you to Rylock Windows & Doors for their generous support, and to all our volunteers who were out early making the morning run smoothly. Full results can be found at https://www.webscorer.com/race?raceid=426103, and photos from the morning, thanks to Karyn Robertson, are available at https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCPhx3.

We now shift into off‑road season with the Shoe Clinic MTB Duathlon Series – Race 1 coming up on 26 April at Groom Creek, Maitai. Event details are available at https://nelsontriclub.co.nz/events/shoe-clinic-mtb-duathlon-series-race-2-2026/.