The New Zealand Open Water Championships took place over the weekend in Taupō, showcasing some of the country's top endurance swimmers. Among them was Otago's sole representative, Aquablack and open water specialist Ruby Heath (Neptune).

This year's championship returned to a two-day format, featuring the challenging 10km race on Saturday and the 5km on Sunday. Heath competed in both events, building on her recent performance at the New South Wales Open Water Championships.

In the 10km race, Heath battled fiercely against Abby Smale from Wharenui, to claim silver with a time of 2:12.56. Snale narrowly edged out Heath in a thrilling finish.

The rivalry continued the following day in the 5km event, where Heath turned the tables, finishing three seconds ahead of Smale to secure the national title in a time of 1:06.19.

The victory not only showcased Heath's resilience and skill but also earned her a trip to South Africa next month to compete in the world-renowned aQuelle Midmar Mile, one of the largest open water swimming events globally.

Ruby Heath's (Neptune) performance in Taupō underscores her position as one of New Zealand's top open water swimmers, and we look forward to seeing what the remainder of the season brings her.

Click here to view the official results.

Looking for the next open water opportunity? Don't miss out on the NZ Secondary School Open Water Championships on 29 March! Entries close on Sunday 23 March at 11:59pm.

Interested in becoming a Technical Official? Visit our web page, or for more information, email us at admin@swimotago.org.

Article added: Monday 13 January 2025