Community Work
Community Work
Swim Rotorua is a non-profit community organisation. We are committed to increasing the accessibility of swimming, and to educating the wider community about the importance of water safety, as well as the health benefits and the fun of swimming as a sport.
Through the work of our coaches and our many dedicated volunteers, we believe we are making a real difference within the wider Rotorua community. We were acknowledged in 2014 for this work by being chosen as finalists in both the Westpac Business Awards Community Organisation Section and its Community Support Distinction Award Category. We were also a finalist in the Swimming New Zealand Community Swimming Club of the Year Award.
Our involvment has included the following:
Wai Swim Programme – In 2014 we established a partnership with the Te Arawa Lakes Trust and Owhata School to run free swimming lessons for children at Owhata Primary School. This work was possible through funding from the Rotorua Energy Charitable Trust. The programme ran in Terms One and Four and involved 60 plus children.
Swim the Lakes Series: In partnership with Rotary Rotorua, the Lake Okataina Swim was incorporated into the Swim the Lakes Series and was a part of the Famously Rotorua Campaign. The proceeds of the Okataina Swim went to local charity organisations such as "Big Brother, Big Sister"
In the past we have been involved in the establishment of a Learn to Swim programme at Lynmore School – Swim 2XL. We have provided workshops for teachers to improve their skills in teaching swimming eg at Lynmore school and Horohoro School.
We have helped run and participated in, The Bill Gates Swimathon raising money towards the cure for Polio.
We have, and continue to help, schools run their swimming sports competitions or provided advice on this eg Lakes High and Lynmore. We have invited all interschool swimmers to free clinics on starts and basic racing skills – we had a great response from Westbrook, Kaharoa and Lynmore. We have helped with timing and selection of their interschool swimming teams, such as Mokoia Intermediate and Lynmore. We have provided help and team management for schools swimming teams eg for Lakes High School to both BOP Secondary Schools Swimming and National Secondary Schools Swimming. We also try to keep schools updateplusd on our competitive swimmer’s achievements.
If we can help your school with swimming contact our School Liaison Manager Claire on cbaylis@xtra.co.nz
Currently involved with the following:
CBOP Interschool Swimming Competition – we help Sport Bay of Plenty manage and run the Central Bay of Plenty Interschool Swimming Competition. This competition is growing fast with 25m novice races as well as longer races for those who swim in squads. Unfortunatly this event had to be cancelled for 2020 due to Covid but bring on 2021!
Our volunteers are out in force to process entries, marshal, timekeep and officiate at the competition. We love seeing so many new swimmers race for the first time. Make sure you school is involved in 2021!
Weetbix Tryathlon - Swim Rotorua provided the local co-ordinator services for the Weet-Bix Kids Tryathlon which was held in Rotorua for the first time in Dec 2013. We have been involved ever since and even go to the Tauranga event too for pool marshalls, beach fun and fish and chips after!
The club provides many volunteers to marshal and assist with the smooth running of the event. We will be providing the same service in 2020 so make sure you sign up to help while your children race!
Volunteer Officials at Swimming Competitions – We have a large number of qualified Timekeepers and Swimming Officials including National Referees who regularly volunteer at Club, Regional and National meets. You may well recognise their faces at any pool, or lake, around the Bay and beyond, but check out their profiles on this website and say hello and thank you next time you see them.
Training and Advice for Athletes from other sports – Swim Rotorua provides training and advice to top athletes for other sports including waterpolo, triathlons, xterra triathlons and mountain biking.
Wombles for Smart Environmental: - Smart Environmental have given us many opportunities for fundarising for our athletes fundraising for National events. "Swim Rotorua Wombles" can be found at the Lakefront clearing up after concerts; Rotorua International Stadium after rugby games, around town rubbish picking scenic sites and even in Taupo after the Summer Concert:)