April 05, 2026

#national: HISTORY IN THE WATER: KIWI SWIMMER CONQUERS 1,367KM ODYSSEY FOR THE OCEAN

Matthew Tukaki Posted On April 5, 2026

Auckland endurance swimmer Jono Ridler has etched his name into the record books after completing a staggering 1,367-kilometre ocean journey the length of New Zealand, in what is expected to be the longest unassisted staged ocean swim ever achieved.

The feat, part of the Swim4TheOcean अभियान, saw Ridler spend months battling some of the country’s most unforgiving coastal conditions, from powerful currents and unpredictable swells to dense jellyfish blooms and the treacherous waters of Cook Strait.

Beginning at North Cape in early January, the ultra-marathon swimmer steadily worked his way down the east coast, logging more than 400 hours in the water and covering distances equivalent to dozens of Cook Strait crossings.

The final stretch proved among the most punishing, with Ridler rounding Cape Palliser before entering Cook Strait, widely regarded as one of the most challenging bodies of water in the world.

The achievement caps a journey that was never solely about endurance. The swim was designed to draw national attention to ocean health, particularly the environmental damage caused by bottom trawling. Backed by marine conservation group Live Ocean, the campaign has mobilised tens of thousands of supporters calling for stronger protections of marine ecosystems.

Ridler’s effort builds on a history of extreme swimming accomplishments, including a nearly 100-kilometre non-stop open water swim in 2023 that set a New Zealand record.

As he reached the capital to complete the unprecedented journey, the physical toll of nearly three months at sea underscored the scale of the challenge. But the mission’s impact extended far beyond the finish line, delivering a powerful environmental message carried the entire length of the country.

With the swim now complete, Ridler’s record-setting achievement stands as both a landmark in endurance sport and a high-profile call for urgent action to protect New Zealand’s oceans.