Latest News

• Earlier this year Pirates footballers gave their pre loved football boots to Milton and Pam Bevin to take to over to the GCU Academy at Heideveld in Cape Town, South Africa. Read all about the positive way your gift is being used and the thanks from the young GCU Academy footballers.  Read more >>
• Results from the Swimming Wellington Winter champs held over 28/29 August and 4/5 September are available. Read more >>
• The Club needs your help! We are looking for a Treasurer, someone to assist the Race Secretary and someone to take over looking after the Pirate website. Read more >>
• On four Sunday nights in May and June, a team of twelve younger Pirates have been trekking out to Cannons Creek Pool in Porirua for this year's "Inter-Club League". Read more >>

View All

Coaches Corner

Well done to all swimmers and parents last weekend. After a slow start Saturday we had a great Sunday and finished the weekend very well. Stacks of medals from a number of swimmers, and two Wellington records to Ted Taylor. Now we need to be even better this weekend.

Some things we can improve
- Can all swimmers/parents please pick up all rubbish from the Pirates seating area. There was a big mess left for the poor team managers to pick up.
- No parents on pool deck during warm up, warm down, coach/swimmers race briefing/debriefing. Take a seat put your feet up and let the coaches handle things.
- We need someone to do a write up on the meet for the noticeboard and website. Can someone please step forward. Paul can you lead this?
- Photos. Pauline T took some great photos last weekend. Can we please get more this weekend and get them up on the website/noticeboard. Liase with Brigitte

See you at the pool
Steve

 

---

Hi all, We are well into the term now, and the Weather is on the improve. The 5.15am get ups are getting more enjoyable as we head towards spring. We had a lot of swimmers down sick over the last month, but it looks like things are on the improve. Lots happening over the few months. Get into your routine now!

Wellington Winter Champs Aug 28/29 & Sept 4/5.
Not long now. After this weekends results are through I will email out my recomendations for events the swimmers should enter. We need all swimmers to support this meet. This is the #1 meet for the club for this season.

Distance meet August 14th.
This is a great chance for all our Seahawks, Hammerheads and Tigersharks to get an 800 or 1500 under their belt. All swimmers are strongly encouraged to enter this. We want swimmers who are able to race any distance. This is also great preparation for racing at Wellington champs. Please get onto entering this!

End of season Mystery bus trip.
I am organising a great fun day trip for all squads. All details you need to know will be advised shortly.

Promotions
We have the squads all very settled at the moment. All swimmers are where they should be. We are assessing all swimmers over the next 2 weeks to make any changes, and will be promoting a bunch of swimmers at the end of this term.

Set an example.
I am throwing out a challenge to all Pirates swims parents to set a good example to your swimmers and take up some regular exercise yourself. So often I see parents sitting at the pool for hours while their kids workout, kind of ironic. There are bikes at the pool, and ..... a pool. The hardest thing is making a start. So get to it. Aim to do 2-3 things per week to begin. Start easy, build into it. You will feel much better for it. None of us are getting any younger!

Hawaii 5-0
Sammy LS is busy working very hard at the moment as she is heading to Maui with the NZ team for the Junior Pan Pacific championships August 26-29 August. A very exciting trip ahead, and we are aiming for top results. Good luck Sammy!

See you at the pool
Steve

5 August 2010

---

Hi all, Holiday timetable starts from next Monday. The first week is a bit lighter to let the swimmers enjoy their holiday and do 'normal' holiday stuff. The 2nd week will be treated as an inhouse camp and is a key training week in the journey towards Wellington Winter champs, and Winter nationals. All swimmers are strongly encouraged to attend all sessions to get the most out of the week. See the link to the squad schedules below

Squad Schedules 

 

Regards

Steve

27 June 2010

 

 

---

 

Hi all, Gee a lot of swimmers down sick at the moment. Be sensible and get well before getting back into it. Make sure you are topping up that vitamin C, and make sure your swimmers aren't leaving the hot pool in hardly any clothing.

Queens Birthday weekend.
No swimming Monday for all squads. Saturday is business as usual.

Bus trip.
Details coming soon for a day trip to a meet outside the Wellington region. We are looking to fill the bus!

School holiday swimming.
The plan for the upcoming school holidays will be emailed out next week. We will have swimming sessions both weeks for all squads. The 2nd week will be intensive with a big chance to bump up your sessions.

Wellington Relay champs.
Please enter this! We need all swimmers available for selection. This is a great meet to bring the whole club together as one big team. Entries to Lynda ASAP.

New Pirate.
My daughter Scarlett was born Friday night. Mum and baby are both well. I already have her training plan mapped out and will have her in the water in 11 weeks! Even less sleep than normal ahead, but very exciting times!

Regards
Steve

 

2 June 2010

---

Hi all, A very busy start to the term. Great to see all the swimmers back into it and looking so keen. Please note the following regarding promotions, squad meetings and club champs...

Promotions
We have been busy doing this over the last few weeks. We almost have all squads settled, and will be making minimal chages from here.
One issue we are having is swimmers turning up for squads they are not in. Please do not send your swimmers to sessions they are not supposed to be at. This creates crowding. Stingrays/Electric eels can not chop and change, nor Electric eels/Seahawks. We are cracking down on this, and will not be allowing swimmers in the water for sessions they aren't supposed to be at. Please don't put your swimmer(s) in this situation.

Squad meetings
I am holding swimmer/parent meetings over the next 2 weeks.

Stingrays, Electric eels and Seahawks will be advised of meeting days next week.

HH/TS meetings are early next week.
Hammerheads Monday May 3rd 6.10-6.40pm at Karori pool
Tigersharks Monday May 3rd 6.40-7.10pm at Karori pool.
(note no training this night for HH/TS)

All swimmers/parents are strongly advised to attend. There are to be changes in the way these squads operate.

Club champs
Please support our club champs. Enter now. This is a great way for all Pirates to race together for a night. A fantastic way for the new Pirates to experience racing at our home pool, and a great way to see our top club swimmers in action.
PLEASE GET ONTO ENTERING TODAY. All swimmers are advised to enter all races,

Regards
Steve

30 April 2010

 

 

---

 

Hi all, back into it! I hope everyone had a good break...

Training timetable remains as normal for the first few weeks of term. We will be making a couple of changes to be advised.

Promotions. This week we are assessing all swimmers to make sure everyone is in the correct group, and we have good even numbers in each squad. We will advise you of any changes.

Swim meets. There is a lot going on at the moment. Please make sure you are checking your emails from Lynda (race secretary) and getting your race entries in on time. Also please regularly check the club website. If you have any swim meet entry questions please talk to Lynda.

Winter season parent/swimmer meetings. These will be held in the next few weeks. I will advise dates shortly. It is important that everyone attends.

Get in touch if you have any questions

Regards
Steve

19 April 2010

 

---

Hi all, we are into the last week of term, and for most the last week of the Long course season. Some reminders...

 

Earlybird swim meet
This Thursday 6.00-7.30am. Almost 60 swimmers signed up! Everyone is welcome. I ask that you are all organised and are ready to go at 6am. Please don't be late as it is disruptive. A big BBQ to follow at 7.30am!

Swimming break
A reminder that the last session of swimming for all squads is Thursday's Earlybird meet. We are back into normal training timetable Monday April 19th
Please note coaching fees remain as normal over this period

Commonwealth Games Trials
Angus Boyle, Amber Kay and Sammy Lucie-Smith are all competing against NZ's best in Auckland April 5th-9th. This is going to be an intense week! You can follow our progress here . Swim fast guys!!!!

Have a great Easter and school holidays and thanks for your support
Steve

30 March 2010

 

 

---

Hi all, A busy swimming time at the moment. Lots going on!

Well done to our 10 swimmers who recently competed at the National age group champs in Christchurch. You can read a full report here

Good luck to our team competing at the NZ division 2 champs here in Wellington this week. If you would like to support our team and see some of NZ's best young swimmers, get along to Kilbirnie. Racing runs from Wed-Sat. Heats start at 9am, finals at 6pm. Go the Pirates!

Fairbrother cup. Great job to the 4 Pirates who have been selected to represent Wellingon at the annual Fairbrother cup. This is great meet between Wellington, Wairarapa and Manawatu. The Pirate swimmers selected are Georgiana Forsythe, Sarah O'Connor, Devlin Forsythe and Emma Loveard.

Commonwealth games trials. Angus Boyle, Sammy Lucie-Smith and Amber Kay are training hard at the moment for the big meet is 3 weeks. This will be a great experience for them. The goal is to swim 100% PB's. Work hard guys.

End of the season. All squads will be having a 2 week break in the upcoming school holidays.
 - The last day of swimming for all squads is Thursday April 1st.
 - The first day back is Monday April 19th,

Pirates Earlybird swim meet. Thursday April 1st 6.00-7.30am I am running a fun swim meet to finish the season. All Pirates are encouraged to enter. It is a great chance for Pirates of all ages to interact, for the younger swimmers to try an early morning, and a fun way to celebrate our success this season.
The flier will be on the new Pirates noticeboard at the pool in the next few days.

Housekeeping. Please keep on top of your squad coaching payments. A few families are behind in this. Coaching costs are to be paid on the 1st of the each month. These are spread out to be paid over 12 months. Any questions please get in touch.

Regards
Steve

15 March 2010

---

 

Good luck to our team competing at the NZ Jnr Nats over the weekend.The team is: Aliesha Mitchell, Sarah O'Connor, Anna Plunkett, Laura Stewart, Charlotte Wallis, George Dorrington, Jacob Farr, James Overell and Thomas Watkins. Have fun guys and swim fast!!

Steve

19 February 2010

 

---

 

Hi all, Hard to believe the holidays are over and the swimmers are back to school soon. The first week the coaches will be assessing all swimmers to make sure everyone is in the correct group. Please bear with us while we do this.

See the weekly training timetable here

See you at the pool,
Steve

31 January 2010

 

---

 

Hi all, Summer is here! Bring on the sunshine. Lots happening over the next few months. Please read the items below and let me know if any questions...

Holiday training 

Christmas training timetables attached for all squads (stingrays and electric eels, seahawks, hammerheads and tiger sharks). Please print these and put them on your fridge. All swimmers are strongly encouraged to bump up their training attendance over the holidays.

Squad monthly coaching payments

Theses continue as normal through the holidays. They are spread out evenly over 12 months. If you are not swimming over this period squad fees still continue as normal.

Swim meets

Due to the construction of the hydroslide at the pool the Karori Pirates club champs and the Duel in the pool have been put back to early next year. Dates will be announced soon.

Changes to training schedule next week

Scaffolding is being put up in the pool next week and the pool will be unusable at certain times, so unfortunately there are a few changes to the training schedule. These are unfortunate, but out of my control.

Monday Dec 7th No training for all squads in the afternoon.

Tuesday Dec 8th No training for all squads at Karori morning or afternoon. Hammerheads and Tigersharks will train at Thorndon in the morning. Hammerheads 6.30-8.00am, Tigersharks 6.30-8.30am.

Regards
Steve

1 December 2009

 

 

 

---

 

Hi all, here's some more information on the parent/swimmer season meetings...

All meetings are at the Karori Rec centre

• Stingrays/Electric eels 4-5pm Sunday November 1st

• Seahawks 5-5.40pm Monday November 2nd (No training)

• Hammerheads 5.50-6.30pm Monday November 2nd (No training)

• Tigersharks 6.40-7.30pm Monday November 2nd (No training)

The coaches will outline the goals and plan for the season, and present the competitive calender. We will also discuss Summer camps.

The Stingrays/Electric eels' meeting will be very educational for all swimming parents. We will explain how to enter meets, which meets to enter, and how to be a good swimming parent!

Hope to see you all there.

Goal sheets are attached. These only need to be completed by Seahawks, Hammerheads and Tigersharks. Please hand these in on or before the meeting.

Regards

Steve

28 October 2009

 

---

 

Hi all, Great to see you all back for another season of swimming. It's going to be a good one! ...

1. Parent/swimmer season meetings.
All meetings are at the Karori Rec centre
- Stingrays/Electric eels 4-5pm Sunday November 1st
- Seahawks 5-5.40pm Monday November 2nd
- Hammerheads 5.50-6.30pm Monday November 2nd
- Tigersharks 6.40-7.30pm Monday November 2nd

All parents and swimmers are expected to be there. No training for Seahawks/Hammerheads/Tigersharks November 2nd Monday pm.

Goal sheets will be emailed out by the end of the week. Please complete and hand in before the meetings.

2. Session attendance
All Seahawks/Hammerheads and Tigersharks please complete the attendance sheet (download here) and hand in to Steve by this Friday. 

3. Labour weekend
All sessions remain as normal for this Saturday, but no training for all squads on Monday.

4. Welcome back Mark, and hello Olivia
Mark has returned from his first stint in Antarctica. Make sure you ask him about his trip. He is off again in November for round 2!
Also joining the coaching staff is Olivia Melbourne, who is an ex Pirate swimmer. She will be getting involved with Singrays/Electric eels and Seahawks.

Regards
Steve
19 October 2009

 

---

 

Hi all, we are into the last week of swimming for the Winter season. Well done and thank you to all parents and swimmers on a great season for the Pirates.

This Thursday 24th Sept is the last day of training for all squads.

Monday October 12th we are back into it, and into normal training timetable.

Please note squad payments continue as normal. Fees are on a 12 monthly schedule

Good luck to all Pirates swimming at the 12 and under meet on Saturday, and to our team of 12 who are travelling to Christchurch for the NZ Spring meet.

Have a great holiday,

Steve

21 September 2009

 

---

 

Hi all, only 5 days until Wellington champs. Very exciting with our big team of 71 swimmers. Please be organised for a big 2 weekends....

Training Timetable

Due to Wellington champs there are a couple of changes to the training timetable over the next 2 weeks.

Seahawks,Hammerheads and Tigersharks

• No training this Friday PM. 4/9 

• No training this Saturday AM 5/9 

• No training Monday AM 7/9 

• No training Friday PM 11/9 

• No training Saturday AM 12/9

• All other sessions remain as normal

Some important points for those who are competing

• Know the sessions you are swimming. Please be at the pool 20 minutes before warm up. Report to the team manager on arrival. We don't want to be chasing people 

• All Pirates must wear their team gear. Shirts/hoodies and caps. If you need a new cap please get organised this week. Do not turn up in other gear. 

• All swimmers must sit with the team. Parents will need to find their own seating in the public areas.

End of the term

Please note the last training day for all squads for the term/season is Thursday September 24th. We will be having a break from all swimming over the school holidays. Swimming training resumes as normal Monday October 12th.

Regards
Steve

31 August 2009

---

Hi all, Well done to all swimmers who have made a great effort to get to meets over the last month. We are looking good! Two important issues:

1. We are on track for a big team at Wellington short course champs. Please get onto your entries now. Lynda has sent you what you have qualified in. All swimmers are expected to support this meet. Our team goal is 2nd placed club (3rd last year). We need everyone's support.

My recommendation is that all swimmers swim every race they have qualified in. The meet is spread over 2 weekends (8 sessions). The most you can do is 3 swims per session, but mostly 2. Very do-able. Entries close with Lynda on Saturday. Please get organised on this.

2. Change to the squad training timetable. From this week there is a change to the Thursday morning session. 6.00-7.30am Thursdays is now only for Tigersharks. Seahawks and Hammerheads can no longer come to this session. Please note Seahawks and Hammerheads still have 8 options per week.

The Stingray session on this morning remains as normal.

Regards

Steve

 

17 August 2009

---

 

Hi all, welcome to term 3. As indicated last term there is a timetable change this term for Stingrays, Electric eel's and Seahawks.

This starts from this week.

Please read the training schedule here.

Regards
Steve

 

---

Hi all, please see the revised holiday training timetable here. Please note the following...

- Hammerheads/Tigersharks now training at Karori 2nd week
- Masterton 4 Club meet for all Seahawks/Hammerheads/Tigersharks July 16/17th. Please sign up on the noticeboard now. Full details will be emailed.
- Thursday July 16th, Stingrays/Electric Eels mini meet Vs Capital club at Karori pool. Warm up 4.30pm, followed by a BBQ.
- All swimmers are encouraged to bump up their swimming over the holidays and attend every session.
- All eligible swimmers are asked to enter the Distance meet. This will be the finale to our holidays. Get onto this now

Normal training timetable up to and including Saturday July 4th.

Regards

Steve

2 July 2009

 

---

 

Hi all, there will be a training timetable change next term. This will effect the Stingrays, Electric eels and Seahawks...

- Stingrays will have no Friday option, but a Wednesday 3.30-4.30pm session instead
- Electric eel's have a 4.30-5.30pm Wed session
- Seahawks have a 5.30-6.30pm Wed session. This will be a technique/skill session

This will spread our swimmers out evenly, and give everyone a better session.

We are hoping this is the last change we will have to make for a while.

See the revised timetable here.

Apologies for any inconvenience.

Steve

30 June 2009

---

 

Hi all, some important issues below on the upcoming Masterton Meet, the upcoming Stingrays/Electric Eels mini meet, absences from swimming and the cancellation of the Masterton Tigersharks/Hammerheads camp.

Tigersharks/Hammerheads Masterton camp is cancelled
Due to a number of reasons we have had to make the decision to cancel this camp. The number of swimmers who have registered is too low to warrant going ahead with this. While I am disappointed, I see that every cloud has a silver lining. There will be a big week of swimming available for the swimmers at Karori pool. The training schedule will be emailed out in the next few days. I have the forms and deposits with me, so please come and collect off me if you have handed these in.

Masterton Meet July 16-17th
We are still full steam ahead for our 4 team meet with Raumati, Greendale and Wanganui.. All swimmers in Seahawks, Hammerheads and Tigersharks are encouraged to enter.

The plan for this meet is
- All 4 clubs are staying together at Mawley Park holiday park http://www.mawleypark.co.nz/
- There are 4 meets over 2 days. Each club is designing one meet. A point score is kept to see who the winning club is
- We will be having Pizza and Skits on the Thursday night

Sandy Turner is the team manager. We will have full details and costs out in the next 2 days. The costs will be minimal.

Please sign up on the noticeboard at the pool

Stingrays/Electric eels mini meet
We are in the process of organising another club to come for a mini-meet Thursday July 16th with our Junior swimmers. Full details will be announced ASAP. This will be a fun meet, with a BBQ.

Absences from swimming
Please notify me if you are sick or unable to make your session. I understand there are a lot of bugs going around at the moment, and we are down a few swimmers.
On the other hand, being too tired, or it's too cold at 6am isn't a viable excuse to miss training in my book. Parents give your swimmers a big nudge to maintain their training schedule.

Regards
Steve

29 June 2009

 

 

---

 

We are getting near the July school holidays, so here's some important information ...

Matariki Meet
Please enter if you are available. We want a big team at this meet.

School holiday training
Sorry for the delay, but I will have this out Monday. I have just received confirmation from the pool and am tidying this up. Week one of the holidays will be close to a normal week, and week 2 is a big training week for all squads.

Hammerheads/Tigersharks Masterton camp July 13-18
All bookings are in place. All details will be available Monday. This going to be a great week. We are concluding the week with a meet with Raumati, Greendale and Wanganui clubs!
HELP! We urgently need 2 parent helpers for the week. Please get in touch with me if you are available to help. It will be a lot of fun.

Coaching fees
Please note these remain the same over the holiday period whether you are swimming or not. These are spread evenly over 12 months.
Plaease also note that these are due on the first of each month. Most families are great on this, I appreciate it. If you are behind in payments can you please take care of this.

Keep warm
Encourage your swimmers to dry their hair properly and wrap up warm leaving the pool. The tempatures are vastly different from inside Karori Pool to outside. We don't want all our swimmers going down sick.

Regards
Steve

18 June 2009

 

---

 

Georgina Marshall, A Nutritional Therapist from STS Nutrition is coming to talk to us at 3pm on Sunday 7 June at the Karori Rec Centre...

"My talk contains, blood sugar balance and before/during and after sports
nutrition and what's really in our food! As well as quick and easy healthy
recipe ideas for all the family"

All Pirates and parents are welcome.

Regards
Steve

 26 May 2009

 

---

 

Thanks to all those who attended Sunday's meetings. I hope they were informative. To recap some key points...

• All Seahawks, Hammerheads and Tigersharks to have short fins, hand paddles and an old Tshirt (to swim in) organised by the end  of this week. These can be kept at the pool in the gear cage. Please note  these remain the swimmers responsibility. The coaches take no responsibilty  for any lost gear.

• One on One meetings. These need to be  booked on the noticeboard at the pool. There is no training for  HH/TS's tonight. We are doing one on one meetings with the swimmers instead.  There is no Wed 4.30-6pm session for Seahawks tomorrow night. One on one  meetings with the swimmers instead. If you can't make any of the times  available, please contact me and we will find another day. Please  note, goal/attandance sheets must be bought to the meeting. These are  available on the club website.

• All Pirates are asked to support the Wellington  relay champs, June 13th. Please enter now.

• All swimmers in TS/HH who qualify in 2  or events for the NZ Spring meet in Christchurch are expected to go. A  meeting for all qualified swimmers and parents will be called in the next  week. 

• Our #1 team goal for the season is to be 2nd  placed team at the Wellington Short course champs. We need a big team to do  this. All Pirates, from Stingrays to Tigersharks need to be getting to many  meets over the next 4 months to get times to swim at this meet. 

• Nutrition talk for all Swimmers and parents Sunday  June 7th, 3pm at the Karori rec centre. Nutritional Therapist, Georgina  Marshall will be giving very practical swimming nutrition advice. I hope you  can all make it.

 

Kind Regards,

Steve

19 May 2009

 

 

---

 

A reminder about our team meetings this Sunday May 17th. All meetings are to be held at the Karori Rec Centre.

• Seahawks  2.00-2.45pm

• Hammerheads  2.45-3.30pm

• Tigersharks Sunday  3.30-4.15pm

It is important that all swimmers and parents attend.

Attached is the goal sheet, and attendance sheet.

All swimmers are to have their goal and attendence sheets handed into me by next Wednesday.

I will hand out the club calender at the meeting.

Also please bring pens and paper to take notes as there will be no other hand outs. Save the trees!

Regards

Steve

14 May 2009

 

 

 

---

 

 

Over the last week we have assessed all Stingray swimmers, and divided them up. We have created a new squad called Electric Eels.

There were a few factors contibuting to this

• The Stingrays squad has grown in numbers

• The range of swimming abilities in Stingrays has grown.

• We felt the step up from Stingrays to Seahawks was too big. Electric Eels will provide a more sensible progression

• We want lower lane numbers so we can provide a better service to all swimming families.

Attached is the list of swimmers in Stingrays and Electric Eels. If we have missed you off the list, please email me and I will advise of your group. I also apologise for any incorrect spelling of names.

The changes commence from Monday May 11th.

Stingrays and Electric Eels coaching fees remain as they were. There is no change to this.

I look forward and appreciate your support of this in advance

The effect this will have on our current system is indicated in the attached table.

Regards, Steve

6 May 2009

 

---

 

We are holding our Pirates swimmer/coach/parent meetings for all squads on 10 and 17 May. Check out the time for your squad's meeting.

All meetings are to be held at the Karori Rec Centre.

Stingrays and Electric eels (new squad) This Sunday May 10th 3.00-3.30pm

Seahawks Sunday May 17th 2.00-2.45pm

Hammerheads Sunday May 17th 2.45-3.30pm

Tigersharks Sunday May 17th 3.30-4.15pm

It is important that all swimmers and parents attend. The coaches will outline the plan and goals for the Winter season.

Regards Steve

5 May 2009  

---

 

Welcome back to swimming. I hope you all had a good break from the pool and are refreshed and ready for the Winter season. 

Stingrays

There will be some changes to the Stingray's squad. We are currently assessing all the Stingray swimmers and by Monday we will know exactly where everyone fits. The numbers in Stingrays have grown a lot (which is a great problem to have!), so we are dividing Stingray's up and creating a new squad between Stingray's and Seahawk's. This is designed to significantly reduce the numbers in the lanes, so that all swimmers are getting the most out of their lessons. Please bear with us over the next few days. I will email out full details shortly.

Winter season meetings

We will be holding meetings for all swimmers and parents in each squad in the next few weeks. Days/times will be confirmed shortly. The coaches will outline the season plan, and set our goals. We will also have a nutritionist who will do a talk to each squad.

The work starts now

In my 10 years of swim coaching the one thing I can guarantee is if you do the work you will earn the rewards. The season has started. Get yourself to training everytime, no excuses. We are 3 days into it now. Ask yourself, how many sessions have I missed? Don't miss the next one. Goal/attendance sheets will be emailed to all and are to be handed in at the coach/swimmer/parent meetings.

Please get in touch if you have any questions.

Regards

Steve

027 205 3694

29 April 2009