Canterbury Open Water Swimming Association

Dutton Dash 2026
You came and swam.

Amongst those who swam or trained with Tim were new faces who wanted to dash or just wanted to have fun.

The youngest swimmer was 12 and the oldest 84, ranging from super competitive swimmers (like Tim) to those who just enjoy swimming in open water. Also spotted amongst the simmers were little people watching mums and dads swimming away.

The placings for the Dash were:
Dash 500
1. Luke Thwaites (2nd last year, well done Luke!)
2. Rosie Ibbotson
3. Ruth Buckley
Dash 1000
1. Mark Grammer (Overall sprint series winner)
2. Mackenzie Annett (keeping the 2nd place, Mark was too speedy!)
3. Catherine Williams

We would like to thank the volunteers:
Emily, Sammy, Steph for on water supports.
Rosie L for head checking in / out swimmers.
Rosie I, Rod, Theo for helping to set up, tidy up.
Simon for the boat / overall supports.

Lastly, our heartfelt thanks to you all who donated to the Heart Foundation in memory of Tim.
The donation link will be kept open until 10/04/2026.
https://fundraise.heartfoundation.org.nz/t/duttondash2026
We look forward to seeing you all young and forever young dashers at the next Dutton Dash.

What a beautiful swim it was for Let’s Quail It on Sunday, 8th March 2026.

39 of you swam and 10 friends and family came to enjoy the calm beautiful sunny day.

The day started with boarding a Black Cat Ferry at Lyttelton Ferry Jetty, a flotilla of kayakers leaving at 7am from Naval Point.

Great to see so many firsts conquered on the day.
First 2k. 5k and 10k!

We take this opportunity to congratulate all swimmers, out there and doing it and thank all volunteers worked tirelessly to make the magical day happen.

Special thanks to the fabulous kayakers, Cathe, Dion, Chris, Geoff, Karen, Lucy, Richard, Stacey for giving up otherwise a gorgeous day for kayaking somewhere else, Simon, Katrina, Theo and Steph on the safety boats, Rosie for herding swimmers at the jetty, Sammy for safety, Ely for all other background works.

It’s going to be a gorgeous day of swimming Let's Quail It 🏊🏊‍♀️🏊‍♂️🚣‍♂️🚣‍♀️🚣🛥️🚤.

Good luck to all 10k / 5k / 2k swimmers!

🏊🏊‍♀️🏊NEW DATE🌊🌊🌊

COWSA Sprint Series #4 is on this Thursday, 26th February 2026.

No forecasted rain during the week and the water quality test results (on 19/02/2026) are all clear for swimming.

https://forms.office.com/r/SJvaZucTBH

The entry closes 2pm on Thursday, 26/02/2026.

The event is complimentary for 2025/2026 annual membership fee ($35.00) paid up members.
If you are yet to be a COWSA member, membership form including payment instruction is here https://forms.office.com/r/BCvEyqJMSW .

Ferry time confirmed for Let's Quail It.

You will board a chartered Black Cat ferry to Quail Island and back.

Payment method and details will be sent to entrants in an entry confirmation email.

Entries open for COWSA Sprint Series #2, Thursday 18th December 2025, 6:30pm, Cass Bay. https://forms.office.com/r/We6aBriswP

To enter the event, you must be a 2025/2026 financial (paid up) member. To be come a member and pay annual membership p fee, please complete https://forms.office.com/r/BCvEyqJMSW