SWIMZONE

At SwimZone, we’re passionate about building the foundations for a lifetime of swimming. With over 40 years of experience teaching and coaching in the Hutt Valley, John Ross and Frank Tourelle have developed a program that specialises in stroke development and squad training for children after they’ve learned to swim — especially those aged 13 and under, where good habits, confidence, and motivation are formed.

Our program is based at the brand-new Te Ngāngae Olympic Pool in Lower Hutt and is built on decades of expertise and a genuine love for the water. We know that swimming is more than just a sport — it’s a life skill that builds safety, health, fitness, and self-belief. Our squads are designed to grow confident, capable swimmers at every level, whether they’re on the path to competition or simply want to enjoy the water for life.

One of the biggest success stories of our program is that it is genuinely fun and enjoyable. We’re not a high-mileage, grind-heavy program — instead, we focus on creating positive experiences in the pool. If children love swimming like we do, they’ll stay in the sport longer, learn faster, and achieve more.

We focus on progressive skill development across all four strokes, with an emphasis on water safety, personal challenge, and fun. Our goal is to guide each swimmer toward their potential — from post–learn-to-swim through to national-level training — while respecting each child’s pace, confidence, and aspirations.

SwimZone works in close partnership with Swimzone Racing (SZR), our local swim club, to support young swimmers through fun in-house race galas every 6–8 weeks. These events introduce children to friendly competition, teamwork, and the thrill of racing. In their first year, all swimmers join Swimzone Racing as Recreational members, taking part in at least one swim meet per term to experience the racing process. After this, most swimmers progress into Competitive membership, where participation in racing accelerates learning, builds confidence, and creates lasting motivation.

For us, swimming is both a life skill and a sport. Participation is the catalyst for success — it helps children learn faster, grow stronger, and find joy in achievement. In the younger years, swimming is fun and social; as they grow, it becomes a source of pride, discipline, and personal growth.

At SwimZone, we’re not just teaching swimming — we’re nurturing healthy, motivated young people through a program grounded in lifelong learning, confidence, and care.

WHERE ARE WE?

Our Mini Squad lessons are available at:

Te Ngaengae Olympic Pool

Everest Avenue

Huia Swimming Pool,

Huia Street, Lower Hutt