Papakura Swim Club
Our Pathway to Competitive Swimming
The Papakura Swim Club is the entry point for young swimmers graduating from SwimMagic’s Gold squad to competitive swimming.
The programme provides a comprehensive coaching pathway after leaving SwimMagic’s “Learn to Swim” programme from junior level through to Senior Age Group swimmers competing at National and International level swim meets. Swimmers start in our junior group and progress at their own pace through Intermediates, Age Development, and finally, Age Performance level.
If you are interested in joining the Papakura Swim Club, please come in and see our Swim School Coordinator.
Pavel Astakhov - PPK Head Coach
Pavel is Papakura Swim Club's head coach from Russia. Having been interested in sports since his childhood, he has competed on a national level in swimming, skiing, canoeing and triathlon in Russia.
In high school, he enrolled in the school of Olympic Reserve and successfully graduated upon completion. Pavel was also a part of the national triathlon team and competed with the champs in the European and Russian Cups.
After high school, Pavel enrolled in the largest Russian Sport University where he achieved a Bachelor's Degree in Physical Education. During his time at university, he assisted national coaches with the training of Olympic-level sportsmen. He then lived in Hastings for a little over 3 years before coming to Auckland and taking on the head coach position at the Papakura Swim Club.
Qualifications include: Swimming NZ Bronze coaching accreditation, ASCTA accreditation, PLPC (Pool Lifeguard Practicing Certificate).
SQUAD LEVELS
Junior 2 & 3 Day
Entry Criteria
- Must initially try to commit to 2 sessions per week which will eventually increase to 3 sessions per week.
- Swimmers will be 8+ years to be eligible for this squad (any variation on this will be at the coach’s discretion).
Aim
- Advanced stroke techniques.
- Starting, turning and finishing techniques.
- Competition procedures and rules.
- General mentorship and advice for competitive swimming.
- Learning and participating in basic land training skills.
Intermediate
Entry Criteria
- Have a basic understanding of stroke technique and turns in all four strokes.
- Minimum attendance of 4 to 5 sessions per week.
- Swimmers will be 9+ years to be eligible for this squad (any variation on this will be at the coach’s discretion).
Aim
- To enforce the swimmer's competition and training skills, and get them ready for the intense training required in the youth performance squad.
- To introduce swimmers to basic energy systems and cyclical training.
- To build body awareness and basic strength & flexibility through land training.
- To educate swimmers on time management, healthy lifestyles and meeting protocols.
- To build the swimmer's discipline and commitment level.
- To attend meets nationwide.
Age Development
Entry Criteria
- Have advanced stroke technique and effective turns in all four strokes.
- Swimmers have a choice of six sessions per week, 1 gym session.
- Swimmers would normally be 12 years of age and above.
Aim
- Swimmers will learn advanced stroke and turns.
- To enforce the swimmer’s competition and training skills, ready for the intense training required in the youth performance squad.
- To introduce swimmers to energy systems and cyclical training.
Age Performance
Entry Criteria
- Have advanced stroke technique and effective turns in all four strokes.
- Minimum attendance of seven sessions per week, with 2 gym sessions.
- Minimum age is 12 years + (any variation on this will be at the coach’s discretion).
Aim
- To enforce the swimmer's competition and training skills, ready for the intense training required in the youth performance squad.
- To develop the disciplined practical and psychological skills necessary to train and perform at this level.
- To build stability and strength & flexibility through land training.
- To educate swimmers on time management, healthy lifestyles and meeting protocols.