9 minutes is time to beat in Boiler swim

Late Thursday afternoon sees the start of the triathlon week with the Trader Jacks sponsored round the boiler swim.

This event is keenly contested each year and the numbers keep growing as the Rarotonga International Triathlon continues to gain recognition.

This year for the Air New Zealand International Triathlon 90 individual competitors and 20 teams are entered.

If you want one of the unique Trader Jacks t-shirts, then be on the start line to win one either by placing well or drawing a spot prize.

Be at Traders early to get your race number on your right leg to allow for a 5.15pm race start.

This swim provides swimmers with a close up view of the Matai steamships remains.

Prior to the swim, at 3.30pm, there will be a race briefing for all competitors in Saturdays triathlon.

The record for the boiler swim race of 9 minutes exactly was set in 2001 by former New Zealand Olympic triathlete Nathan Richmond, who is back for this years race.

In 2010 Craig Stewart came close in a time of 9.24 and maybe new comer John Beasley might come close as he has been leading the way in the local lunch time boiler swims or at the very least beat swimming buddy Justin Rous.

Come down and show your support and enjoy the race spectacle and the competitiveness shown by the swimmers.