Whakatāne Swimming Club is on the hunt for new members.

Although it can be a challenging sport at times, it is a fantastic one for children to get into, especially at a young age.

They can choose to take lessons, just have fun, or take it that one step further and decide to swim competitively.

Children might compete individually but are always supported by their clubmates so there is a team feel to the sport.

Whakatane Swimming Club’s club captain Tiffany Wren said club numbers were steady, but they were always on the lookout for more swimmers.

The club has had many talented swimmers go through its ranks over the years and like children to start young so they can go down the sporting route if they wish.

“Our goal comes from a sporting approach. The earlier you start a sport or activity, the longer the time you have to improve and learn great habits,” she said.

“We welcome children of all ages. There are no specific ages we are looking for and our programme caters to all ages and swimming abilities.”

“Enrolling more juniors allows for our strong succession plan to continue. As our older year-13 swimmers leave to pursue their future, the younger swimmers rise through the ranks.”
Wren said swimming was a sport with several positives for children.

“The benefits of swimming are numerous. Aside from the camaraderie of being part of a club and meeting new people, children learn a skill which will keep them safe for the rest of their lives.

“The sport is also a low impact, ‘safe’ sporting option with limited risks. It helps with breathing and is an all-over physical sport, which does not emphasize one muscle group over another. Arms, legs, torso are all engaged.

“Children compete against themselves when racing. Improvements are measured by their own fastest times which are known as ‘PB's’ or personal bests. It is an individual sport which takes place in a team environment.”

They will learn different strokes – breaststroke, backstroke and butterfly as well as freestyle –having sessions multiple times a week sees skills develop quickly.

Those that choose to swim competitively can attend regional events, and there are local events held in Whakatāne, Rotorua, Tauranga and Taupō. Transport can be an issue with busy families and we offer transport to these events in our club van.

“These regional events are entirely supportive of new swimmers so for a child that has never raced before, the set-up and support is there to boost their confidence and watch them succeed,” said Wren
“There are no compulsory races or events to enter. Children can advance competitively (or not) at their own pace although it is frequently the case that once a member starts to enter competitions, they continue for the sheer thrill of beating their own time.”
Whakatane Swimming Club which has been around since 1945 and has swimmers of all ages from children to masters.

The club is coached by Mason Pickering and he’s happy with swimmers of all levels.

“You do not have to be an amazing swimmer to start with,” Wren said.

“We have some members who could barely complete a few lengths of the outside pool when they started and are now competing (and placing) at national events. Our adult swimmers range in age from a few in their 70's to those in their 20's. All are welcome.”

“Training crosses over in terms of timetabling so the little ones are able to see their older counterparts and witness what they can be like if they continue.”

A real highlight for her is seeing how much the young swimmer improve.
“It is hard to miss the sheer force of teenagers powering down the pool in a butterfly stroke without missing a beat.”

She said there was sometimes a misapprehension that swim club was competitive-only with an expectation of competing.

However, this was not the case with a lot of swimmers choosing not to compete and having their focus on fitness or other sports – or simply enjoying the camaraderie offered by the club.

“Swimmers swim all year around and pool swimming supports other aquatic sports and events such as triathlons, surf lifesaving, underwater hockey, open-water swimming, waterpolo … a number of our former and current swimmers are canoe sports people.”

“Adult swimming is an amazing way to get fit or maintain fitness in a gentle way. Fitness classes run three days a week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8.30am to 9.30am) and senior swimmers who have work commitments can swim up to six times a week from 6am to 7.30am.”

She said the club always had great relaxed nights for the family.

“Club nights are a very fun and social affair with mixed relays held whereby a very fast year 13 swimmer is swimming in the same team as a beginner 8-year-old swimmer. This fosters cross age-group friendships, mentors and goals.”