Live Ocean: Jono Ridler swims through the "Hole in the Rock"
by Jodie Bakewell-White - Live Ocean Racing 15 Jan 14:38 NZDT
Exiting the Hole on the Wall - Jono Ridler - Swim4TheOcean - January 14, 2026 © Joshua McCormack
Swim4TheOcean swimmer Jono Ridler swam through Northland’s iconic Motukokako Hole in the Rock yesterday evening, a symbolic moment in the 1,000-mile mission to build nationwide support for a healthy ocean and an end to bottom trawling.
Motukokako, the natural sea arch at Cape Brett at the eastern entrance to the Bay of Islands, is one of Northland’s most recognisable coastal landmarks. Ridler passed through the landmark at around 6pm as he continues his epic unassisted staged swim record-attempt from Waikuku North Cape to Wellington.
For most of the day, Ridler sees little more than open water. But after swimming through the Hole in the Rock, he reeled off the fish he’d seen; “Snapper, pink maomao and spotted demoiselles. And I thought I saw a few kingfish as well.”
The milestone capped off Ridler’s longest single swim leg of the mission so far, clocking 27km actual distance swum. Assisted by favourable currents under overcast skies, he completed a single six-hour swim leg at an average speed of 4.5km/h.
Earlier in the day, Ridler spent time with well-known fisher Matt Watson and was applauded by passengers when a tourism boat visited, following a planned rest day after a community stopover at Waitangi the previous afternoon.
The team camped overnight at Elliott’s Bay before Ridler returned to the water at 8.05am this morning to begin the next leg south – Thursday 15 January will be a two-swim day.
Clearing the Bay of Islands marks a significant turning point for Ridler and the seven-strong support crew, with the route now tracking down the Northland coastline alongside places like Whangaruru, Mimiwhangata, Helena Bay, Whananaki, Whale Bay, Matapouri, Tutukaka, Ngunguru, Whangarei Heads, Ruakaka, Waipu, Mangawhai, Langs Beach, Te Arai and Pakiri, on the way to Goat Island Marine Reserve.
Swim4TheOcean is using the power of an extreme endurance feat to engage New Zealanders around the need for a healthy ocean. As Ridler swims south, he carries a clear call to action to decision-makers: end bottom trawling in Aotearoa New Zealand.
More than 3,200 people have already added their name to the Swim4TheOcean call for action, backing stronger protection for the ocean and the habitats that support marine life.
Yesterday’s swim – at a glance
- Time: 6 hours
- Distance: 27km
- Average speed: 4.5km/h
Fans can follow the swim via live tracker and sign the call for an end to bottom trawling at swim4theocean.org
About Swim4TheOcean
Jono Ridler, a 36-year-old from Auckland, is attempting to go further than anyone has before in an unassisted staged swim, using his epic effort to shine a light on ocean health.
Ridler is partnering with Live Ocean, the marine conservation charity founded by champion sailors Peter Burling and Blair Tuke. As Ridler pushes south, he will carry a clear message to decision makers: it’s time for New Zealand to make a quick transition away from bottom trawling, with the first priority being an end to bottom trawling on seamounts and other vital marine ecosystems.
More than 120 rest stops (between swim shifts), and community stopovers are planned along the route, giving coastal towns the chance to welcome Ridler ashore and show their support for a healthy ocean.
The term ‘unassisted’ is significant in Ridler’s world-record attempt. Defined by the Marathon Swimmers Federation, it means he’ll swim without a wetsuit - wearing only togs, goggles and a swim cap.
Swim4TheOcean is backed by Platinum sponsor TMNZ alongside supporting swim sponsors including APL, Forsyth Barr, Generate KiwiSaver, and StabiX.
Follow the mission at Swim4TheOcean.org and on Live Ocean’s channels @itsliveocean.
About Swim4TheOcean
Ridler is best known for his 33-hour nonstop, 99 km swim from Aotea Great Barrier to Auckland in 2023 - the longest swim ever completed in New Zealand. This time, the 36-year-old Aucklander is attempting to go further than anyone has before in an unassisted staged swim, using his epic effort to shine a light on ocean health.
Ridler is partnering with Live Ocean, the marine conservation charity founded by champion sailors Peter Burling and Blair Tuke. As Ridler pushes south, he will carry a clear message to decision makers: it’s time for New Zealand to make a quick transition away from bottom trawling, with the first priority being an end to bottom trawling on seamounts and other vital marine ecosystems.
More than 120 rest stops (between swim shifts), and six community stopovers are planned along the route, giving coastal towns the chance to welcome Ridler ashore and show their support for a healthy ocean.
Swim4TheOcean is backed by Platinum sponsor TMNZ alongside supporting swim sponsors including APL, Forsyth Barr, Generate KiwiSaver, and StabiX
Follow the mission at Swim4TheOcean.org and on Live Ocean’s channels @itsliveocean.
View at www.Swim4TheOcean.org
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Website: liveocean.org/swim4theocean Follow Jono's progress on the live tracker.
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