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 have recently been acknowledged 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 this year.

Our work includes:

· 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 is possible through funding from the Rotorua Energy Charitable Trust. We also received some sponsorship from Sanitarium in the form of marmite for pre-swimming snacks! The programme runs in Terms One and Four and has involved nearly 60 children so far. We are looking forward to getting underway again in Term 4 and showing everyone some great results. All we need now is some solar heating.

· Schools Programme - We would love to work with any school in the Rotorua area. In the last two years 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 schools run their swimming sports competitions or provided advice on this eg Lake 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 schools 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 updated 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

· Lake Swim – In partnership with Rotary we established a Lake Swim which this year was incorporated into the Swim the Lakes series and is part of the Famously Rotorua Campaign - the proceeds of this swim go to charity. It was great to see so many families, ex-competitive swimmers and Fun and Fitness swimmers taking up the challenge. Like our facebook page for updates on the lake swim. https://www.facebook.com/RotoruaSwimTheLakes

· 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. Make sure you school is involved in 2015. Our volunteers were out in force to process entries, marshal, timekeep and officiate at the competition. We loved seeing so many new swimmers race for the first time.

· 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. The club provided many volunteers to marshal and assist with the smooth running of the event. We will be providing the same service in 2014 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.

· Training and Advice for Athletes from other sports – Swim Rotorua provides training and advice to top athletes from other sports including waterpolo, triathlons, xterra triathlons and mountain biking.