Swim Markin swim clinics, supported by Sport Northland, will be led by Karen Markin and Nikki Field. Karen has been involved with open water swimming for over 35 years.  She currently runs a small, highly successful swim school specialising in tailor made tuition 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. After volunteering over the last decade at the Bay of Islands Amateur Swimming club, she has recently started private group learn to swim sessions.

Karen and Nikki aim to make the quality one 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 and remaining calm
• And much more!

Minimum requirements:
Participants must be over the age of 16 and must be able to swim 300m non-stop and tread water confidently.

Who the clinics are suitable for / what objectives:
Suitable to anyone:

• new to ocean swimming
• wanting to learn specifics of ocean swim races
• wanting to improve your water confidence and performance.

Dates and times available:
9.00am Saturday 27th October 2012 (1 hour)
9.00am Sunday 4th November 2012 (1 hour)
Arrive 15 minutes earlier for registration purposes

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

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

Cost & payment options:
$20 non-refundable. Payment can be made by cash, cheque or internet banking when making the booking.
ENTRIES ON THE DAY WILL NOT BE ALLOWED, places are limited.

Contact details:
Karen on tel. 09 4025212, or e-mail

Based in and around Auckland, the Ocean Clinics is a great coaching combination of ex competitive swimmers and triathletes. The clinics provide a perfectly structured and safe environment in which swimmers can gain and build ocean swimming experience.

Clinics have been planned for the two weeks leading up to five of the six State Ocean Swim events. The location for each clinic has been chosen to best simulate the State Ocean Swim event you are training for.

Minimum requirements:
Minimum swimming level is 300m non-stop freestyle.

Who the clinics are suitable for / what objectives:
For those wanting to feel more comfortable in the open water and learn better ocean swimming techniques.

Also suitable if you simply want a group to train with each week.

Dates and times available:
Sat 27 Oct & Sat 3 Nov (Goal: State Paihia Classic)
Sat 17 Nov & Sat 24 Nov (Goal: State Harbour Crossing)
Sat 12 Jan & Sat 19 Jan (Goal: State Capital Classic)
Sat 2 Mar & Sat 9 Mar (Goal: State Sand to Surf)
Sat 23 Mar & sat 30 March (Goal: State King of the Bays)

Locations:
All clinics are based in Auckland – see www.oceanclinics.co.nz for all locations.

Cost & payment options:
Clinics cost $25 per session, $45 per block of two sessions or there is a series saver for those wanting to sign up for all five blocks. Late fees apply.

Contact details:
www.oceanclinics.co.nz

Shorebreak Aquatics Ltd is the swim coaching programme of Sheryl McLay based at Mount Maunganui. A program with  a big openwater 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 summer’s major events in our area. Races are scheduled for Thursdays 13, 20 and 27 December 2012, 3, 10, 17 January 2013 in Pilot Bay. Other events include the Splash and Dash on 1 January 2013.

Minimum requirements:
Participants must be able to swim 300m non-stop and tread water confidently.

Who the clinics are suitable for / what objectives:
Anyone and everyone wanting to improve on:

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

A  lifeguard is present on the water at all sessions.

Dates and times available:
Saturdays starting November 2012, until March 2013 7am

What to bring:
Togs / wetsuit, goggles, swim cap and towel

Locations:
Pilot Bay, Mt Maunganui

Cost & payment options:
$15 per session for casuals (no additional charge for members)

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

Quik Kiwi and Splash & Dash swim clinics

Qwik Kiwi (Ray Boardman & Andrea Borland) and Former NZ International Triathlete & Olympian, Evelyn Williamson will share their experience with you in a friendly format.  Evelyn, Ray and Andrea 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.  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 and remaining calm
• And much more!

Minimum requirements:
Participants must be able to swim 300m non-stop and tread water confidently.

Who the clinics are suitable for / what objectives:
Suitable to anyone:

•  new to ocean swimming
•  wanting to improve your water confidence and performance
• wanting specific course pointers for the Wellington leg of the State Capital Classic ocean swim
• Some of the session will be theory, but you will be in the water for around half the session at least

Dates and times available:
9.00am Sunday 6^th January 2013
or
9.00am Saturday 12^th January 2013 (1.5hrs)

Arrive 15 minutes earlier for registration purposes

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

Locations:
Freyberg Beach (by the public toilets), Oriental Parade.  We will swim on the Ocean Swim course specifically.  There is parking on the water front and in Pool car park.

Cost & payment options:
Online Registration:
Early Bird price until 21 Sept $20
Regular price $25
Non-refundable.  Places are limited.

Sun 06 Jan: http://www.enteronline.co.nz/index.cfm?page=EventDetails&ID=4854

Sat 12 Jan: http://www.enteronline.co.nz/index.cfm?page=EventDetails&ID=4855

To book a clinic:
http://qwikkiwi.com/capital-classic-ocean-swim-training-sessions/

Contact details:
Evelyn: Ph: 021 317 454, Web: www.splashanddash.co.nz, or Email: evelyn@splashanddash.co.nz

Ray Ph: 021 348 729, Web: http://qwikkiwi.com/capital-classic-ocean-swim-training-sessions/  or Email  ray@qwikkiwi.com

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 achievable 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.

Traction Fitness swim clinic

World Champion Triathlete Jenny Rose and National surf, waterpolo & long distance swimmer Anna Marshall run a twice weekly sea swim training group for swimmers of all abilities covering the full range of skills.

Minimum requirements: All participants must be able to swim 200m non-stop. Children from 10-16 yrs must be accompanied by a swimming guardian (please call Jenny for approval)

Who the clinics are suitable for / what objectives: All adults and 10+ yr children. Improve confidence through skills, knowledge and practice

Dates and times available: Every Saturday morning 8-9am Every Monday evening 6-7pm. ** No swimming between Dec 23 and Jan 10th.

What to bring: All normal swim gear, sunscreen, coffee money

Locations: Freyberg Beach, Oriental Parade

Cost & payment options: $10 per session

To discuss and/or book a session: Contact Jenny – phone, email or website

Contact details: Jenny Rose telephone 027 242 3527 or email jen@tractionfitness.co.nz

Or to get more information please go to: www.tractionfitness.co.nz

Christchurch born international open water swim coach specialist, Dan Abel will be delivering a series of Open water swim clinics in Christchurch throughout the summer. Three of these clinics have been specifically structured for State Ocean Swim Series competitors, one for beginners, two for intermediate swimmers. The clinics provide a great mix of open water and pool technique training sessions designed to get you ready for the State La Grande Swim on 23 February 2013.

Introduction clinic:
This intensive course is running 26 & 27 Jan and is suitable for those new to open water swimming and looking to increase confidence and improve technique. It includes two open water sessions and two technique pool based sessions. One of each on both the Saturday and Sunday.

Intermediate clinics:
This course is being held on two weekends, the 19 & 20 Jan and 1 & 2 Feb and is suitable for those already comfortable in the open water environment, who are looking to improve their fitness and technique. It includes two open water sessions and two technique pool based sessions. One of each on both the Saturday and Sunday.

Dan also has a mixture of swim technique and fitness events on offer this summer ranging from personalised  one on one coaching sessions and group fitness and technique sessions (including a one off State La Grande training session evening of 5 Feb at Corsair bay (More information) all aimed at making you a more confident and competent open water swimmer.

Minimum requirements:
Swimmers should be able to comfortably swim 800 metres in a pool.

Who the clinics are suitable for / what objectives:
Clinics are suitable for those wanting to learn more about open water swimming techniques, those wanting to brush on their skills and ready themselves for the La Grande Swim on 27 February 2013.

Dates and times available:
Session 1: Intermediate
Sat 19 Jan 2013:
9.00am – 10.30am (open water)
3.00pm – 4.00pm (pool technique)
Sun 20 Jan 2013:
9.00am – 10.30am (open water)
3.00pm – 4.00pm (pool technique)

Session 2: Introduction
Sat 26 Jan 2013:   
9.00am – 10.30am (open water)
3.00pm – 4.00pm (pool technique)
Sun 27 Jan 2013:   
9.00am – 10.30am (open water)
3.00pm – 4.00pm (pool technique)

Session 3: Intermediate
Sat 1 Feb 2013:  
9.00am – 10.30am (open water)
3.00pm – 4.00pm (pool technique)
Sun 2 Feb 2013:
9.00am – 10.30am (open water)
3.00pm – 4.00pm (pool technique)

What to bring:
Swim caps and drinks provided. Meals and transport not provided

Locations:
Open water clinics are at Corsair Bay
Pool clinics are at Jellie Park Recreation Centre

Cost & payment options:
$155 per weekend session (for four clinics)

Contact details:
Inquiries can be made by e-mailing bookings@fitandabel.com
For more information on the clinics, see: More details