Mairangi Swim School celebrate 30 years

Last week Mairangi Swim School in Auckland celebrated their 30^th birthday and Koru the Kiwi and Education Advisor, Alannah Jury were lucky enough to be there for their special day.

Helping to celebrate they launched the Koru the Kiwi colouring-in competition which is running over the school holidays. Swimmers, their friends and family have the chance to win some cool prizes by colouring in Koru the Kiwi.

Mairangi Swim School was one of the first buildings built on Constellation Drive (where it began as a cul-de-sac) in 1984.  It was set up and is still run by former Commonwealth medallist Margaret Howes.

The school has taught over 1,000 lessons a week for the last thirty years. It is a family swim school focused on water confidence, safety and every pupil learning to swim competently with the aim to give all pupils a great start to a lifetime of safely enjoying the water.

There are many second generation students who are the off-spring of Margaret Howes’ first students.  Many pupils return to teach at the Swim School, including current teachers Linda, Toni, Caitlin, Jake and Clowance.

Olympic swimmers Mark Herring and Cam Gibson (also a Commonwealth Games medallist), World Surf Lifesaving medallist Danny Morrison, World Championship swimming representative Alannah Jury, New Zealand Waterpolo representative Stacey Landry, and Triathlete Maddie Dillon all learnt to swim at the Mairangi Swim School.

Mairangi Swim School is a Swimming New Zealand Quality Swim School, and is an Active Movement in Water Swim School meaning that their Baby and Preschool programme is founded on enhancing child development and aquatic skill development, and is taught by teachers who have undergone specific training ensuring a high quality delivery in their Preschool and Infant programme.

Their teacher education programme is extensive and ongoing, and is complimented by the Swimming Teaching Qualifications. Earlier this month three new instructors attended the Swimming New Zealand Swim Teacher Award course.

Their teacher education programme has led to industry recognition of teachers Margaret and Marian through the New Zealand Swim Coaches and Teachers Association (NZSCTA).