Wellington Restaurateur Martin Bosley Taking The Plunge In The Sovereign NZ Ocean Swim Series Capital Classic

Wellington restaurateur Martin Bosley admits he’s feeling nervous about his latest challenge– swimming in the 2.8km Sovereign Capital Classic, part of the Sovereign New Zealand Ocean Swim Series which takes place in Wellington on Saturday 30 January.

Martin celebrates his 45th birthday on the day before the swim and took on the challenge because “I felt I needed to start a new year with something significant. I don't have a background in swimming so it has been a challenge.”

Martin initially began training on his own, but has since had coaching from Evelyn Williamson which he said made a big difference.

“I I found it easy to put training off when it suited. Now that I have to meet Evelyn three times a week at the pool, I have committed myself to her as well as to myself.”

He’s been training throughout the spring and summer, but admits that the busy Christmas period in the restaurant made it difficult.

“Time has been my biggest enemy, and I have to be honest and say that it has got the better of me on several occasions, especially as we had such a big Christmas season at the restaurant, and just prior to that I was cooking in Shanghai for two weeks, which meant I had no pool or training time at all. My training did slip considerably, but I have been working hard to regain lost ground.”

Martin said the training has made a difference to his health and while he hasn’t checked to see if he’s lost weight “my pants keep slipping down, so something is happening. I feel much healthier and fitter and I now sleep solidly through the night.”

Martin, who will be swimming in a Blue Seventy wetsuit, will join an estimated field of 500 swimmers from around New Zealand for the Sovereign Capital Classic including Kiwi swim legend and double Olympic gold medallist Danyon Loader who is encouraging New Zealanders of all swimming levels to take part.

As well as the 2.8km feature event, the Sovereign Capital Classic also includes a 300m Tag Team Relay, a 750m beginner distance and the 200m Sovereign OceanKids for children aged 10 years and under.

Event Director Scott Rice says that like the other events in the series, the Sovereign Capital Classic is for everyone from elite swimmers to beginners and children.

“The Sovereign New Zealand Ocean Swim Series encourages people of all shapes, sizes and abilities to take part and conquer a fear of swimming or simply to ensure that they and their families are safer in our oceans and waterways.

“It’s a challenge, but always achievable with the right preparation and support on the day.”

“The Sovereign Ocean Swim Series delivers so much to so many people,” adds Richard Allen, Sovereign Marketing Communications Manager. “It attracts some of the best swimmers in the world but also motivates New Zealanders of all ages, shapes and backgrounds to improve on their fitness and in some cases, change their lives.

The Capital Classic is the third leg of the six-event Sovereign New Zealand Swim Series for 2009/2010 and will feature world class Australian and New Zealand swimmers who are chasing more than $75,000 in cash and prizes. Already confirmed is the current series men’s leader Bryn Murphy from Dunedin, who will be hoping for top placing to secure the series, and top female swimmers Georgia Hind and Brenda Russell who will be battling it out for the top spots.

The Sovereign New Zealand Ocean Swim Series ‘Capital Classic’ takes place in Wellington on Saturday 30 January. Take the plunge this summer and enter at www.oceaswim.co.nz

ENDS

© Scoop Media