Swimming: Swim club just warming up

Omanu Swim Club is now able to operate out of the Mount Maunganui College pool all-year round

Thanks to the generous support of TECT and NZCT, the pool's heating system has been upgraded to enable the water temperature to be a constant 28-29 degrees - the optimum swimming temperature.

Omanu Swim Club has previously run a successful swim club with more than 200 members during the summer months at the college pool under coach Nick Ayers.

But during the winter months, with the pool lacking heating, the club had to move to Baywave and limit the swimming numbers due to fewer lanes and times to train available.

The winter programme will start on May 2 for a range of swimmers, including children who have completed their learn to swim programmes and are looking for a pathway forward.

The programme caters for competitive swimmers who would like to compete at local and national swim competitions, surf life savers, athletes from a range of sports like triathlons, synchronised swimming, water polo and under water hockey or those just after a more reflective fitness boost.

Omanu club director Donal Boyle says preventing drownings is a key motivation for the club.

"Omanu Swim Club sees the programme as a means to encourage people to take up swimming over the winter months in preparation for the summer and will cater for all levels of swimmers.

"The coaching team is Kevin Ayers and son Nick from England. Both have extensive swim knowledge and are happy to work with swimmers on improving their technical skills. Kevin will run the winter programme and Nick will return in October."

One of the aims of Omanu Swim Club is to have coaching available to a large range of community users and to help alleviate the shortage of pool space for training within the Tauranga area, especially at peak times. The pool is operating during the school holidays with an intensive holiday programme underway.

- Information: www.omanu beach.co.nz/swim-school or phone Donal Boyle 021 574799