Shark Squad

Shark Squad offers fitness, training and competitive pathways. Swimmers will need to have completed our Leaping Frogs Swim School programme, or equivalent programme. Adults will need to demonstrate a level of proficency in four strokes.

Our Head Coach is Mariano Garcia Nani. Mariano has a Silver Accreditation as a Performance Coach, graduated from Southland Academy Performance Coach Program, with qualifications in Adaptive Aquatic and Fitness.

He is passionate about encouraging the community to be involved with the sport and have a healthy lifestyle. He has competed in different sports at national level and his desire is to recruit young swimmers that are keen to race to explore the athlete development and enjoy the experience.

Shark Squad offers four levels

• Fundamental is the first stage in the squad developing multiple strokes
• Makos gathers junior swimmers learning how to train
• Age Group targets performance for competition.
• Fitness Squad is for recreational swimmers keen to improve their fitness with cross training and following programmes providing technical outcomes.

Yes, Shark Squad swimmers can be part of Hokonui Aquatics as a club swimmer to participate in ribbon meets throughout Southland or Otago, or as a competitive swimmer to represent Gore in regionals and nationals. Contact Hokonui Aquatic's secretary Hokonui Aquatic's secretary for more information about memberships and swim meets.

The squad follows a programme to develop foundations for every stroke in order to progress to learning how to train. The swimmers from this squad can join the Hokonui Aquatics Club.

The squad trains twice per week, 60 minutes per session.

This squad is aimed at recreational swimmers keen to improve their fitness for other sports and who want to train using different strokes. It is essential for swimmers to be able to swim the four strokes.

This squad has the option of training one to three times per week, 60 minutes per session.

Makos Squad is where competitive swimmers start to learn how to train. They continue stroke development, but learn to maintain speed and pace in the water. The use of the clock during training sessions is introduced and swimmers can participate in swim meets in Southland or at national level.

This squad trains three to five times per week, 60 minutes per session.

Age Group targets swimmers performing at regional and national level. Swimmers at this level have successfully developed strokes and training skills. This includes a strength conditioning programme with a strong awareness in nutrition to enhance performance.

Involving up to nine sessions a week, these swimmers would become role models for the squad and would represent Gore at the highest level of the sport.

This group is for any adult who is training for fitness. This can range from programmes aimed at putting you on the path to a fitter and healthier lifestyle, or helping you retain a high level of fitness for sports or pre-season training.

This group also provides an ideal environment for anyone involved in Masters sports or triathlons. There may be an opportunity for open water lake swims. We offer flexible swim time options.

Please refer to our Fees & Charges page, click on the Aquatic Centre.

The fees for Shark Squad Makos, Age Group, Fundamental and Shark Fitness are for a term, irrespective of how many squad sessions you attend. For those involved in Shark Fit Adult Training, please talk to our staff about fees. All fees include your entry into the Gore Aquatic Centre and are reviewed on a six monthly basis.

Concessions may be available, contact the Gore Aquatic Centre or phone 03 203 9128.