2018 Swim Date - Friday, 6 April


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COURSE & Conditions 

​LAND MARKS

Start line is Sheraton Resort at Mulifanua. The finish line is Lusia's Chalets & Lagoon lodge in Salelologa. The finish line is 1km from the wharf. 

The swim is 22.3kms and runs East to West. 

Physical landmarks and distances
Start to the western tip of Manono Island - 7kms
Start to the western tip of Apolima Island - 12kms
Apolima Island to the first landmark of Savaii (Tafua headland) - 7kms 
Tafua headland to the finish at Salelologa  - 5kms 

On leaving Sheraton Resort there is a bit of work to do to exit the Ferry channel. Our team will help to guide you to the channel marker and out to open sea.

Once clearing the Mulifanua ferry channel - the earliest land marks are two islands, Manono Island and Apolima. These are well to the left of the swim. 

The other guidance point is the ferry line between the two islands. Swimmers and boats must follow a course (GPS) well to the left of the Ferry line and parallel to it all the way to the Savaii entry channel. This channel is narrow and must be approached from the left of the ferry channel. 

If your swim start is before daylight - you will need lights on your boat with manual sighting as will your pre-set GPS on the boat. The kayak will also have an electronic tracker installed. 

Savaii headland (Tafua Peninsula) 
Immediately upon leaving the Mulifanua Channel the Tafua headland to the NW of Apolima island can be sighted. It is important for the boat and kayaker to point and aim for the headland. 

At the 7km mark - or parallel to Manono Island the highest peak on Savaii (Mt Silisili) comes into view (if not earlier). Travel to 10 0'clock of this landmark for the next 5kms or to the western pt of Apolima island. 

At the 12km mark there are two churches on the Savaii coastline that will be clearly visible. Do not aim directly for these BUT travel well to the left, pointing the kayak and boat still to the Tafua headland. 

At the 17km mark or the top of the Tafua headland - the ferry building (bright orange) comes into view. It is a mistake to line up with the ferry building at this point, but continue heading west or left of the ferry building. You will be approaching the channel just outside of the ferry terminal from the left - so the terminal needs to be on your right from 5kms out. 

At 18kms with 3kms to go the channel markers can be seen, continue to aim west or left of the markers. 

At 19kms the entry to the ferry channel and to the Terminal starts here. You must approach this from the left of the ferry channel and well left of the ferry building - keeping the ferry lane clear where the ferry goes in and out. 
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