SWIMMING: Coach's recognition spans continents

WHEN a bloke can walk around in three different countries and get kisses and cuddles from people he taught to swim, he must be somebody special.
That somebody is former Havelock North Trojans coach John Beaumont, who received a Service Honours Award for 25 years service to Swimming New Zealand this week.
He was quick to point out such occasions prompt one to reminisce and among his highlights in 45 years of teaching swimming is people walking up to him and saying "you taught me to swim".
"It doesn't just happen when I go down to the shops here in Havelock ... it's happened in England, Hong Kong and Australia," Beaumont said.
Before retiring in November last year Beaumont, 74, had taught more than 10,000 youngsters to swim during 250,000 lessons. He built and opened New Zealand's first privately owned commercial indoor heated pool in 1968.
"I was down the pool one Saturday morning when I realised I was coaching grandchildren of youngsters I taught ... that was time to call it a day."
Almost 10 months later the father of six children and grandfather of 12 still wakes up at 5am.
"I just don't get up as fast," he laughed.
"While there were long hours involved, it was never an onerous job. Every class and every kid was different," Beaumont said.
He coached Carmel Clark to finals in the 100m and 200m backstroke at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games and Paralympian Duane Kale (pictured) to four gold medals with four world records at the 1996 Atlanta Paralympics. Beaumont said taking New Zealand's population into account, the country does well to produce a number of top swimmers.
"The key to successful coaching is to make the environment and the experience enjoyable so they keep on swimming. If you think you're going to have a lot of champions, you're dreaming."
One of the keys to his longevity in coaching was the fact he had lots of other interests. Beaumont played senior club rugby, cricket at Hawke's Bay Colts level (one season he was judged the province's most improved under-21 batsman) and was involved in scouts.

"I feel sorry for people who move around. I've spent 74 years here in the Bay ... you can't replace the memories which are here," Beaumont said.
He was unable to attend Swimming New Zealand's annual meeting in Wellington at the weekend to receive his award. Hawke's Bay Poverty Bay Swimming Centre president Keith Bone received it on his behalf.
"It was awesome to receive it on behalf of a man who has so much passion for swimming. He is a role model who has passed on so many life skills to so many people," Bone said.
"Thousands of people have so many different memories of John.
"I remember him telling some youngsters he was coaching if they didn't blow bubbles out when they swim their eyes would pop out."
A life member of the Trojans club, the Hawke's Bay Poverty Bay centre and New Zealand Swim Coaches and Teachers, Beaumont, is enjoying new experiences and his weekly rounds of golf.
The 19-handicapper had a hole in one a year ago on the 132m 16th hole at the Hastings Golf Club when he was playing another Bay swimming personality, the late Bert Cotterill, who also received a Service Honours award from the national body.
Beaumont is also looking forward to more overseas travel with his wife Jean.
SportToday has no doubt there will be plenty more hugs and kisses for Beaumont no matter what country they decide to visit.