Contact Scorching Triathlons

Twenty rubber-clad diners will swim ‘to’ their supper to launch this year’s Contact Energy Scorching Triathlon series. Wagamama restaurant have offered a free meal to a group of triathletes who will swim 2km from Freyberg Beach to Wagamama to launch the series.

A Wagamama waiter will take the wet-suited swimmers’ orders on the beach just before they begin their swim. With appetites ‘wetted’, the swimmers will arrive approximately fifty minutes later at Wagamama to be served their ‘free’ supper whilst wearing their wetsuits at the outside tables. They will be joined by a group of loyal scorcher participants and supporters on land. Arrival time is likely to be 6pm.

“On their website it says you can ‘crawl, walk, run…..or even swim’ to Wagamama. Wagamama is one of our sponsors, so this gave us the idea for a great wet-launch to the season. We started this tradition in a small way in 2008, and every year we get more and more people involved. What better way to start the season in a truly Wellington way!” says Event Organiser, Daryl Bloomfield aka Angel 1.

Places for this harbour swim are fiercely contested between the applicants who have to prove not only their physical ability to complete the swim, but also their passion for their local ‘Scorcher’ triathlon series.

Some of the reasons given for being included were: “Why not jump into Wellington harbour with a bunch of Scorcher triathletes? Can't think of a better way to start the season”, “My wife is working late and I have no one to cook me dinner..”, “I can't wait for an excuse to squeeze back into the wetsuit!!!”, and finally, “Because I love Scorching Triathlons and Wagamama makes delicious meals, and well... why the hell not!”

The Contact Scorching Triathlon is a local triathlon series which is run by brother and sister Wellingtonians, Daryl & Keri Bloomfield, aka Angels 1 and 2. They have five events, with the first starting on 14 November 2010. They offer a range of triathlon, duathlon or open water swimming options. There is something for everyone.

The Scorchers began in 2003, and the duo have worked hard to create one of the most successful and well-respected Triathlon series in the country. The series now regularly attracts between 250 and 300 participants per event and has a wide active following of loyal ‘Scorcher-ees’.

A unique factor to the series is the loyal support by the participants (both regulars and first-timers) and the amazing atmosphere. For instance, they don’t have ‘winners’, instead it’s all about participating and having fun.

This year will be the 6th year that the series will run with the support of Contact Energy, who have been the main sponsor since 2005.

For more information please visit www.scorching.co.nz

The Scorcher wet-launch - swim to Wagamama for a free supper, will happen on Wednesday 3rd November 2010 at 5pm from Freyberg Beach, Oriental Parade to arrive at Wagamama Restaurant, Queens Wharf at 6pm.