State Ocean Swim Clinics 

If you would like to learn a few more ocean swimming skills then join an ocean swim clinic in your area. An experienced coach will take you through an hour of ocean swimming skills and techniques. The ocean swim clinic is aimed at novice ocean swimmers and those who would like to improve their ocean swimming skills.

AUCKLAND
NORTHLAND
WELLINGTON
CHRISTCHURCH
BAY OF PLENTY

Auckland

Block 1 - 22 Oct, 29 Nov, 05 Nov Goal Race - State Harbour Crossing (13 Nov)

Block 2 - 26 Nov, 03 Dec Goal Race - State Paihia Classic (10 Dec)

Block 3 - 14 Jan, 21 Jan Goal Race - State Capital Classic (29 Jan)

Block 4 – 25 Feb, 03 Mar Goal Race - State Sand to Surf (10 Mar)

Block 5 – 17 Mar, 24 Mar Goal Race - State King of the Bays (31 Apr)

Every Block contains 2-3 clinics at various venues and have all been perfectly timed to lead up to your State New Zealand Ocean Swim. Catering to very different levels starting from a near novice (someone only swimming a few hundred metres but hoping to swim the Step it Up 1000m event on race day) to a near elite level of swimmer who can go sub 20min for 1500m. All swims start with a grading swim so we can accurately put you in a group of others who swim a similar speed, and depending on your level you can expect technical work and/or very hard structured ocean workouts on a course very similar to that which you'll experience on race day.

OceanClinics start at either 8.00am or 9.15am.

To book a clinic or to get more information please go to:
www.oceanclinics.co.nz

Northland

Swim Markin supported by Sport Northland, will once again be holding ocean swim clinics in Paihia. The clinics will be led by Karen Markin and Nikki Field. Karen and Nikki have a wealth knowledge and experience of open water swimming, lifeguarding and teaching/coaching. Karen currently runs a small, highly successful swim school specialising in tailor made 1:1 tuition, both in pools and the ocean. Nikki is employed by Sport Northland as a Youth Sports Advisor and an instructor of the Top Energy water safety programme. She has volunteered as a Learn to Swim teacher at the Bay of Islands Amateur Swimming club over the last nine years.

Karen and Nikki aim to make the quality 1 hour clinics relaxed and enjoyable. Whilst swimming in the company of likeminded people, you will have access to expert guidance and, under similar conditions to those on the Paihia Classic race day, an opportunity to learn and/or practice:

• How to swim efficiently and effectively over long distances
• Navigations skills including: sighting, maintaining a straight line, dealing with currents rounding buoys
• Race starts and finishes
• Swimming in a pack amongst the chaos sometimes experienced at starts, and remaining calm
• and much more!

Where:
Paihia Beach, Marsden Road, opposite the Alfresco Cafe. There is ample parking on the beach front.

When:
9am Sunday 20th November 2011 for 1 hour. You should arrive 15 minutes earlier for registration purposes

Cost:
$20 non refundable

Registering: ENTRIES ON THE DAY WILL NOT BE ALLOWED, places are limited.

What to bring: Swim wear, wetsuit (optional), goggles, swim cap, sunscreen and warm clothes for afterwards.

What to expect: Most of the clinic will be held in the ocean, but there will be some theory on beach side

Who is it suitable for: Anyone over the age of 16, new to ocean swimming and/or wanting to learn specifics of ocean swim races, and improving your water confidence and performance. You must also be able to swim 400m non stop and tread water confidently.

To book a clinic or to get more information please contact: Karen on tel. 09 4025212, or e-mail karenmarkin@hotmail.com

Wellington

Who
Former NZ International Triathlete & Olympian, Evelyn Williamson will share her 13yrs of top level experience with you in a friendly format. Evelyn & the assistant coaches, will offer you advice on many aspects of your training & racing, or if you are a beginner, they will offer you a starting point on how to maximise your enjoyment of the Ocean Swim series. Evelyn will be assisted by Philip Rush - NZs Open Water guru, multiple Cook Straight crossing swimmer & former international triathlete & Hawaii Ironman age group place getter Sue Mellsop.

When:
1hr Session: Sunday 9th January 9am and/or Saturday 15th January 9am

Where:
Meet on Oriental Bay Beach (adjacent to the Band Rotunda). We will swim on the Ocean Swim course specifically.

Registering:
Clinics are $25 for the 1hour session and we recommend you pre-register online if possible. In the event that the clinic is over subscribed, preference will be given to pre registered (online) entrants. You may still register for and attend a clinic by turning up on the day if there are places available - this is determined by pre arranged water safety. Thanks for your understanding. Please assemble 15min before scheduled clinic start time. Register online here

What to bring:
Swim gear & any questions, queries or concerns you have about the Ocean Swim series or competing in general.

What to expect:
Some of the session will be theory, but you will be in the water for around half the session at least.

Who is it for:
Anyone new to ocean swimming or who wants to know more on the specifics & subtleties of ocean swimming. Wanting to improve your performance. Specific course pointers for the leg of the State Capital Classic ocean swim.

To book a clinic or to get more information please go to:
www.splashanddash.co.nz

The Splash and Dash Series is an ideal way to practice for your Ocean Swim & after the fact, a neat way to continue your ocean swimming summer.

The events are simple and fun and designed over courses and distances that are acheiveable by the general population and can involve some friendly competition if you want it! The events involve a sea swim (off Freyberg Beach) and footpath run so you can take full advantage of Wellington's waterfront. The Swim Only event is a very popular part of Splash and Dash. Wetsuits are allowed but not essential.

Christchurch

Every summer we run two ocean swim clinics on behalf of the State Ocean Swim Series. These are usually held just prior to the Corsair Classic and are targeted towards swimmers who are new to ocean swimming or swimmers who want to gain more experience with ocean swimming and learn new skills.

Details of our 2012 Ocean Swim Clinics are below. This year with the Ocean Swim Series shifting to Akaroa for La Grande Swim on February 19th we have decided to split our two clinics between Pegasus Town and Corsair Bay. The first clinic at Pegasus town will be an introductory clinic for those swimmers who have been training in the pool and are looking for an introduction to the open water. This will be followed a week later with a slightly more advanced clinic which will be held at Corsair Bay.

Location:

February 4th – Pegasus Town Lake

February 11th- Corsair Bay

When:

9.00am – 10.00am

Cost:

$20 pp per session

For more information and to register visit: http://www.surfnturf.co.nz/training/ocean-swim-clinics/

Bay of Plenty

Shorebreak Aquatics Ltd
team.shorebreak@xtra.co.nz

Shorebreak Aquatics Ltd is the swim coaching of Sheryl McLay based at Mount Maunganui. A programme with a big open water focus it is the squad of choice for Triathletes and other open water swimmers.

Throughout each summer Shorebreak Aquatics in association with Team Shorebreak Inc (Aquatic Sports and Triathlon Club) offers a comprehensive programme of open water skills sessions. These sessions are held in both Pilot Bay and Main Mount Maunganui Beach. The programme is structured and progressive and covers all aspects of open water swimming. Shorebreak also offers a full range of pool swimming squads from beginner through to elite.

Team Shorebreak Inc also offers its Ocean Swim Series, this series of 750m and 1500m swims are specifically designed as build up events to the summers major events in our area. Races are scheduled for Thursdays 15, 22 and 29 December 2011, 5 and 12 January 2012 in Pilot Bay. Other events include the iconic Bridge to Bridge Swim on 21 January, 2012 and Round the Mount Swim on 22 January,2012 as well as the State NZ Ocean Swim Series - Sand to Surf event on 10 March, 2012. Entry forms for the Team Shorebreak Series, Bridge to Bridge and the Round the Mount Swims are available by request from team.shorebreak@xtra.co.nz after 1 October 2011

Open Water skills sessions are scheduled to begin in November 2011 and are scheduled for regular Saturday mornings throughout the summer.

What will the clinics cover

• Water entry and exit techniques incl Wading and Duck Diving
• Direction finding
• Coping with the Surf

What to Bring

• Togs / wetsuit
• Goggles
• Swim Cap
• Towel

To book a clinic or to get more information please contact Sheryl on 027 288 1131 or email team.shorebreak@xtra.co.nz