Annual Trader Jacks Boiler Swim on tomorrow

Thursday afternoon will see the launch of Triathlon Week with the Trader Jacks sponsored ‘Boiler Swim’.

‘The Boiler’ is embedded in local lore – the protrusion out of the sea off Traders is part of the remains of the SS Maitai which sank on the reef in 1913.

Colloquially named, it regularly sparks light hearted debate from go loco followers concerning the correct terminology, however for the swimming brigade, the protrusion from the sea bed has and will always be known as the ‘Boiler’ and not the engine.

Sixty-six swimmers entered the race last year and 81 swam it in 2010.

There are 70 official entries as of Monday this week which will make for an exciting blast out around the Boiler and back.

The race record set on a calm day in 2001 is 9 minutes exactly and is held by former Olympic Games triathlete Nathan Richmond from New Zealand.

The distance is close to 800 metres although the course is never a straight line out and back.

There will be some classy swimmers on Raro for the Air New Zealand International triathlon on Saturday so Thursday afternoon’s Boiler swim race will give an indication of form for the big race on Saturday.

A number of the unique Trader Jacks polo shirts will go to the winners and placegetters as well as to some special occasion competitors.

The start will be a deep water start and swimmers are asked to be wary of entering the water by the boat ramp as it is slippery, tending risky.

The swim will be anti clockwise around the mark.

Swimmers will find it an underwater spectacle, crossing the remains of the Maitai steamship with portals and plates visible on the sea floor nearer the Boiler.

A safety boat will monitor swimmers and contestants are asked to be at Traders early, from 4pm onwards to get entered with your name on the start board and a race number on the right leg to allow for a start at 5.15 pm.

Prior to this at 3.30pm a race briefing for the Saturday Triathlon will be held.

Those wanting information on the course and rules are encouraged to attend.

Come down, show your support, enjoy the race spectacle and see the competitiveness of some ace swimmers.

And make sure you see the liftout supplement in Thursday’s Cook Islands News – for names of all competitors, course details, records to beat and the order of events.