The Honolulu Fire Department responded to multiple swimmers in distress off shore of Waikiki on Monday around 9:45 a.m.
A total of 11 units staffed with 29 personnel responded and the first unit responded at 9:52 a.m.
Honolulu firefighters, Ocean Safety, multiple Good Samaritans, and other lifeguard personnel commenced with operations retrieving race participants and shuttling them to shore.
According to Ocean Safety, it is estimated 350 participants in the rough water swim needed assistance to shore. Lifeguards say surf wasn’t the factor, instead it was the change in tide. Ocean Safety had two skis in the water bringing swimmers to shore.