Juniors gather for surf pool day

More than 130 young athletes gathered for the annual Waihi Beach Junior Surf pool morning at the Dave Hume heated swimming pools on October 28.

Young people aged from 5 to 13 participated in timed swims and a range of crazy relays designed to encourage team spirit and build water confidence. The annual event takes place at the start of the junior surf season and gives the coaches the chance to assess the swimming ability of their athletes in a safe and fun environment.

The Waihi Beach Junior Surf programme attracts families from Katikati, Waihi Beach, Waihi, Hamilton and even Auckland. Junior Surf meets at Waihi Beach every Sunday from 10am until midday. Coached by lifeguards and parents, the athletes participate in a range of beach and water activities that become progressively more challenging (and exciting) as the athletes move up through age groups.

The Dave Hume heated pools are once again hosting the Waihi Beach Junior Surf athletes and lifeguards for their swim training this season. Pool users can expect to see them training on a regular basis from now on. A large number of the athletes attend Katikati Primary School and Katikati College — many of them started with Junior Surf as 5-year-olds.

Pool manager Peter Allsop said, “By the time they are teenagers, they are helping keep our community safe over summer as lifeguards — either at Waihi Beach or at the Dave Hume pools.”

For more information about the Waihi Beach Junior Surf programme visit the website www.waihibeachlifeguards.co.nz, or phone 07 863 5108 or email info@waihibeachlifeguards.co.nz