Inside Jono Ridler’s world record 1367km swim down the North Island
April 16, 2026
Jono Ridler swam 1367km down the North Island’s east coast over 90 days.
Jono Ridler has completed an unprecedented 1367km swim down the east coast of New Zealand's North Island, a journey that began on January 5th at North Cape and concluded 90 days later in Wellington Harbour. The 36-year-old Aucklander undertook the swim not only as a feat of extreme endurance but also to advocate for marine conservation, specifically calling for an end to the practice of bottom trawling. His "Swim4TheOcean" campaign, in partnership with the marine conservation charity Live Ocean, is expected to be ratified as the longest unassisted, staged ocean swim in history. Throughout the journey, he wore only swimming trunks, a cap, and goggles, forgoing a wetsuit.
Ridler's incredible journey involved more than 468 hours in the water, the equivalent of swimming the English Channel 41 times or the Cook Strait over 53 times. He typically swam for two six-hour periods each day, five days a week, followed by a rest day. A dedicated support crew on two boats followed him, providing food, water, and ensuring his safety as he navigated some of New Zealand's most exposed and challenging coastlines. The swim was staged, meaning he would rest on land but always re-enter the water at the exact point he had left off. This remarkable achievement is the culmination of years of dedication to open-water swimming, with Ridler having previously completed the New Zealand Triple Crown of Marathon Swimming, which includes the Cook Strait, Lake Taupo, and Foveaux Strait.
The swim was not without its significant challenges. Ridler battled fatigue, sunburn, and what swimmers call "salt tongue." He also faced numerous jellyfish stings and encounters with sharks, which he learned to calmly manage. One of the most difficult aspects was the progressively colder water temperatures, which dropped from around 23 degrees Celsius to as low as 14.5 degrees, pushing him to the brink of hypothermia after each session towards the end of his journey. Despite suggestions to wear a wetsuit for protection against the cold and jellyfish, Ridler remained committed to completing the swim unassisted as planned. The psychological toll of long hours alone in the water also presented a significant mental battle.
The primary motivation for this monumental undertaking was to draw public attention to the damaging effects of bottom trawling on marine ecosystems. The "Swim4TheOcean" campaign successfully gathered a petition with over 67,000 signatures calling on the government to end the fishing practice. Upon his arrival in Wellington on a Saturday, Ridler was greeted by large crowds and a powerful welcome from local mana whenua at Whairepo Lagoon. Following the completion of his swim, he met with the Minister of Conservation to deliver his message and the petition directly to parliament.
With the swim now complete, Ridler is recovering from the immense physical strain of his 90-day ordeal. The focus of his campaign now shifts to the political sphere, with the formal presentation of the petition to Parliament expected to take place in the coming weeks. The "Swim4TheOcean" initiative, backed by Live Ocean and thousands of New Zealanders, will continue to advocate for stronger ocean protection measures. Ridler's record-breaking swim has not only etched his name in the annals of endurance sports but has also created a powerful platform for marine conservation that will continue to make waves long after he has left the water.
Source: nzherald