State Ocean Swim Series clinics will be held at Paihia in the lead-up to the State Paihia Classic on November 10.
Local swimming coaches Karen Markin and Nikki Field will hold a 1-hour swim clinic at Paihia Beach (opposite Alfresco's Café on Marsden Road) on October 27 at 9am and on November 4 at 9am.
People who attend the clinics, which are aimed at people older than 16 who can swim at least 300 metres continuously out of their depth and tread water confidently, will learn or practice:
- Race starts and finishes
- Swimming more efficiently and effectively over long distances
- Navigation skills, including sighting, maintaining a straight line, dealing with currents and rounding buoys
- Swimming close to others and remaining calm
Karen and Nikki have been running the clinics since the first Paihia Classic event in 2009.
Karen has been a keen open water swimmer for 40 years and has been coaching the sport for 33 years.
She currently runs a small pool and ocean swim school specialising in one-to-one tuition and adult fitness sessions.
Nikki works for Sport Northland as a youth sports advisor and is a Top Energy WaterSafe instructor.
She has recently started private group learn-to-swim sessions after volunteering as a coach at the Bay of Islands Amateur Swimming Club for 10 years.
"We are both passionate and enthusiastic about what we do and have a wealth of knowledge and experience of coaching, swimming and life-guarding throughout the world," says Karen.
People interested in attending the clinics, which cost $20 per person and are limited to 15 swimmers per clinic, should email Karen at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or phone her on 09 402 5212 or 021 292 6768.
Karen and Nikki will hold extra clinics if there is demand.
Go to www.oceanswim.co.nz to register for the State Paihia Classic.
