As a child I lived close to the bay but I did not start swimming until I was in my late 40’s. Initially I was “all-out” swimming 25m free-style but with regular coaching my proficiency slowly improved in free-style and also in the other competitive strokes of backstroke, breast-stroke and butterfly. Although I was making great progress for someone for whom swimming came late in life I wanted to increase proficiency, speed and intensity of my workout.

Late in 2010 I went to watch the Orcas Masters Swimming group at Nunawading. It was everything I was looking for with high quality coaching, an emphasis on continued, timed improvement and a regular, challenging fitness routine. As an added bonus the Orcas are a great bunch of people who are fun to socialize with at their various, regular events.

I am delighted to be president of a club that accommodates personal objectives of fitness, technical stroke improvement, pool competition and open-water events at all ages and all levels within a friendly, encouraging environment.

Since I started swimming again two years ago I am fitter, have lost 15kg, feel healthier and look better. At secondary school I participated in a large amount of sport including athletics, swimming and football. Since that time with a full time job, marriage and a family of two children I thought that I would never have time to keep fit. As a result of training with the Orcas I am as fit now as I was at age 30 and I find I have more time and energy to live life to the fullest with my family and friends. When I first started swimming at the club it was with the idea of just swimming for fitness but the friendliness of the men and women in the club is such that I would never miss one of their regular social events and I am a frequent competitor in pool-based and open-water swimming competitions.

I had been a regular lap swimmer at the Nunawading Pool and was interested in participating in an evening squad to improve my technique and fitness.

I joined Nunawading Orcas when it was formed in 1994 and found it ideally suited my needs. The coaching has been professional and well structured to maintain interest while improving technique in all strokes. The intensity and distance varied to maintain a good level of fitness. Social activities and friendships have made swimming in a group most enjoyable.

I grew up all around water. The pool, beach and even splashing around in the bath! I’m a water baby through and through. 

I joined a swimming club at the age of 9 and swam until just before I was 16. 

Training every day and competitions every weekend. I loved being in the water, challenging myself with new sets and setting new goals with PB’s and making some great friends along the way. 

After swimming competitively, I took a break from swimming for a while and then got into teaching when I was 19. I taught for 9 years and loved helping young kids find their passion for swimming. 

I joined the Orcas in in 2018 with a friend. We were very nervous to start at our first trial, but everyone on that first night was so friendly and welcoming. I joined for fitness and to get me out of the house. I found if I was swimming on my own I wouldn’t push myself as hard as we are pushed with our coach. As much as I complain some nights, I do love the workout and the fun we have in the pool. 4 years later I’m still swimming and enjoying getting quicker in my times and the socialization and the jokes in between our quick rest breaks. 

And now I’m on the committee!

Having grown up near the beach in a place called Governors Bay in New Zealand, I’ve had a love for swimming from as early as I can remember. At age six I was already a competent swimmer. Although that was a very long time ago, swimming always seemed quite natural for me. By my teens however, swimming was replaced with Basketball which became my sport for many years and far into adulthood. Basketball injuries and wear and tear eventually saw me return to the swimming joy I had as a young boy for a continued source of fitness and social interaction.

As a career change I started down the path of swim teaching and coaching in 2013. Working as a swim instructor at all levels since then, and transitioning into coaching along the way.

Among my more recent exploits are visits in two consecutive years to the remote community of Yuendumu as a Red Dust Role Model. Teaching swimming there, Lifeguarding and twice helping to run a Swim Carnival for the community.

In 2016 I was awarded both the Victorian and the National Austswim awards for Teacher of Swimming and Water safety.

Now coaching Nunawading Junior competitive Athletes and a Teenage non-competitive squad, I’ve added the Nunawading Orcas masters group to my repertoire.

Swimmers will find me to have an inclusive, adaptable ethos supporting an encouraging group environment whilst taking an orderly and analytical approach to building fitness and refining technique via the relevant stroke drills. And as well offering feedback and stroke correction along the way.

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