Submerge Aquatics is the main provider of swim coaching services for all squad level swimmers, including those with competitive or fitness goals.
At the core of our service, Submerge Aquatics deliver high quality daily training sessions, facilitate out-of-water training, actively promote goal setting and mentoring through group and individual sessions, promote and enhance the growth of squad-level swimmers particularly from within the Selwyn Swim School, and provide coaching support at competitions as agreed with Selwyn Swim Club. Submerge Aquatics also wants to raise the profile of swimming in a holistic way.
Ben Close is the Head Coach of the programme, and Hannah Bates is the Assistant Coach. There are also several casual coaches that cover shifts as needed. All coaches are members of the New Zealand Swim Coaches and Teachers Association (NZSCTA) and hold or are gaining appropriate qualifications.
Mission
Our simple but effective coaching mission is to be “Better Than Before”. Every swimmer in every session has the goal of finishing in a better position than when they started.
At the Bronze and Silver level, the priority is to refine and develop a high level of technique and skill while building a passion for our sport through fun and engaging activities and challenges. A focus on quality at these levels sets each athlete up for long term success as an efficient swimmer.
For Gold and Platinum level we have a clearly defined performance pathway (Gold-2→Gold-1→Platinum) and what training/performance habits are expected to stay in this pathway.
We also have sessions and resources for a fitness/participation pathway through the Fitness Development Squad. This is also an ideal space for any injured competitive swimmers to rehab and stay involved with the programme without pressure or interrupting those in the performance pathway.
To continue developing all of our athletes as great people, we will meet regularly in a group or one-on-one environment to discuss commitments in and out of the pool, guiding and encouraging them to make decisions, as well as working with parents on ways to best support their young people. This is in line with the Balance is Better philosophy introduced by Sport New Zealand.
We have a network of professional support providers that can assist with a range of areas outside of the pool including nutrition, university support, counselling, physiotherapy, etc..
Structure
The structure of how we run the daily training programme is a perpetual programme that runs within the 3-block structure that Swimming New Zealand have implemented, i.e. Jan-Apr, May-Aug, Sep-Dec. This will give swimmers around 46-48 weeks of coached swimming available each year and we will provide session plans for any required training when poolside coaching is not available Bronze and Silver sessions run 3-4 streams with different options for training timetables. This is because we know many of our athletes at this level attend school all around the district and play multiple sports or have other activities, so we aim to offer a high level of flexibility that still helps them achieve their swimming goals.