DISTANCE SQUAD
Swimmers in the top two squads (Aoraki and Pukaki) will be given the opportunity select whether they prefer sprinting or distance swimming.
The Distance program is more aerobic based and is very much a mental game - it takes a lot of mental strength and physical toughness. As much as it is about being physically able to keep moving, it’s also about keeping your head in the game to race for 16, 32 or 60 lengths of the pool.
Distance swimmers may not generate the speed or momentum needed to place high in “sprint races” such as the 50M freestyle, they do excel at pacing and demonstrating endurance in 200M events and more.
Distance swimmers will train more often, training sessions will be longer, and they will work with a variety of devices such as a snorkel (to improve form and stroke), tempo trainers for pacing, pads, pull buoys, and drag tools to develop strength. Distance swimmers must place a greater emphasis on developing an efficient form (technique).
Distance swimmers will undertake less intense dryland training than the sprint swimmers to limit fatigue and be fresher for their swim sessions.
Coach: Huia Mikara
A nationally experienced and accredited coach with more than 30 years experience, Huia established the Waitaha Aquatic Centre, Canterbury Swim School and Waitaha Swim Club alongside Jenny Jones in 2013.
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Huia has taught and coached swimmers from Learn to Swim right through to Open National and International Level competitors, and has been committed to swimming and assisting youth in the community for many years.
In 2015 Huia and Jenny were presented Service Awards by Swimming New Zealand in recognition of their outstanding contribution over many years to swimming.
