Four teenage swimmers from Tonga's Malolo Swimming Club completed the 2.9km Auckland Harbour Crossing on Saturday, 12 December, paving the way for their participation in future Ocean Swim competitions, said Vila Day, the coach and manager of the team.

The three boys and one girl are members of the Malolo Swim Club and the Auckland Harbour Crossing was their first competitive Ocean Swim outing.

A total of 1,226  swimmers in various age groups, from 15 years and under to 80 years and over started the swim at Quinton Park, Bayswater and ended at the Viaduct Events Centre.

The four Tongan swimmers, were in three age categories, George Fellows (17) and Andrew Emberson (19)  were in the Male 15-19 Age Group. Finau ‘Ohuafi (15) was in the Male 15 and Under  Age Group, and Noelani Day (12) was in the Female 15 and Under Age Group.

Andrew Emberson came in 29th place (1:03:30) Male 15-19. Right behind him was George Fellows in 30th place (1:03:31). The winner of this category was Henry Wiseman in 38:51.

Finau came in 18th place (1:03:31) Male 15 and Under. The winner of this category, Michael Slessor-White completed the course in 41:28.

Noelani came in 14th place (58:55) Female 15 and Under. The winner was Bernadette Doyle in 43:08.

The winner of the Auckland Harbour Crossing was Nathan Capp in the Male 20-24 category in 35:02.

The fastest female swimmer was Penny Haynes in the Female 20-24 category. She was in 7^th place over all;  in 40:30.

The swimmers are expected to return to Tonga on Thursday.