Turtle Swim School

31/05/2026

The girls and I had a fantastic weekend at the XLR8 Swim Meet in Taupō!

Between them, my girls came away with an incredible 8 medals. 🏅🏅🏅

Paige had an amazing meet, achieving two NAGS qualifying times in her 400 IM and 800 Freestyle. She was absolutely flying down the pool, and I could see the huge smile on her face when she realised what she'd achieved. She came over and excitedly told me she'd taken a whole minute off her previous time and had secured a NAGS time! She also tackled the challenging 200 Butterfly, which is no easy feat.

Indy also had a brilliant meet, achieving some huge personal bests, including taking 20 seconds off her 200 Freestyle time. She also swam her first-ever 200 IM, which is a big event for a 10-year-old. I was so proud of her determination and effort.

I also want to give a special shout-out to Carys Jensen, who is only 9 years old and came away with an impressive 6 medals! Watching Carys swim makes me incredibly proud. I taught her from the very beginning of her swimming journey, and standing on poolside watching her compete so confidently and successfully was a special moment.

Alongside cheering on the swimmers, I also started training as an IOT (Inspector of Turns). Long days standing on poolside definitely make for some sore legs by the end of the day!

One of the things I love most about swimming is seeing children progress from their first learn-to-swim lessons right through to competitive swimming and watching them achieve things they never thought possible. Seeing their hard work pay off is so rewarding.

I hope everyone is having a great winter, you'll find me poolside at swim meets on the weekends, cheering on young swimmers and celebrating their achievements. 💙🏊‍♀️

11/05/2026

Term 4 is filling fast and many of the length classes are already full.

I still have spaces available in the lower-level classes, so if you’d like to secure your child’s spot, get in touch soon.

There are currently spaces available in Hatchlings, Kick, Stroke, Yearlings, Sea Turtles, and Snapping Turtles classes, with Monday to Friday after-school options.

There is also plenty of availability on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings for preschoolers, babies, and home-school children.

Send me a message to book in early for Term 4. [email protected]

09/05/2026

Happy Mother’s Day to all the amazing mums in our community.

Today is your day to put your feet up and let the kids, husbands, and partners look after you for a change.

I woke up this morning to the sweetest surprise. My son got up super early to make me breakfast. We had run out of bread, so he googled a recipe and made eggs on potato rosti, a couple of little pancakes, and a coffee. I definitely heard him up bright and early.

I feel so lucky to have such thoughtful children, and moments like this remind me how special being a mum really is.

I hope all the mums out there feel appreciated, loved, and thoroughly spoilt today. Happy Mother’s Day!

08/05/2026

Term 4 is already about 85% full!

If you’d like a spot for Term 4, please get in touch soon to secure your place or join the waitlist.

Things do often change over winter and right up until the new term starts, so even if classes are full now, spaces often shuffle around before Term 4 begins.

To enquire about a place, send me a message or email [email protected].

07/05/2026

Hi everyone,

What an epic summer we’ve had here at Turtle Swim School!

From children who started out feeling nervous in the water to those competing at the Western Bays Swimming Sports alongside some of the top swimmers in our area, it’s been such a rewarding season to be part of.

Thank you so much for continuing to support my small business and my family. Your support truly means a lot and helps my own kids enjoy the activities they love, especially swimming and water polo.

I’ve also loved seeing swimmers progress beyond lessons. My middle daughter, Paige (13), recently competed at Division II Swimming in Dunedin and the National Age Group Championships in Hawke’s Bay, and this winter she’s off to Adelaide for more competition.

I’ve also had a number of Turtle swimmers competing at Western Bays Swimming Sports, which showcases some of the top young swimmers in the Bay of Plenty. A special congratulations to Jacob Botha, who took out the Top Year 5 Boy in the region.

Moments like these are a great reminder of how special this sport is. Watching children grow in confidence, achieve their goals, and even move on to local swim clubs is something I’m incredibly proud to be part of.

I truly love teaching your children and can’t wait to see many of you again next season.

Term 4 bookings are now open and already filling up, so please get in touch if you’d like to secure a spot.

The next opportunity for lessons in Papamoa will be during the September/October school holidays, and I’m taking bookings for those now as well. Holiday lessons are a great way for children to refresh their skills after a winter away from swimming lessons.

Please get in touch if you’d like to book or if you have any questions.

Thanks again for all your support, it truly means the world.

Key dates to remember

September/October School Holidays
Week 1: 28 September – 2 October
Week 2: 5 October – 9 October

Term 4 2026
12 October – 18 December

December Intensive Lessons (Papamoa)
21 December – 24 December (4-day intensive week)

04/05/2026

Hi everyone,

We are now halfway through Term 2, and there are only a couple of weeks left of lessons for the term. Lessons will finish in the week ending Friday 22 May.

It has been great seeing the progress the kids have made this term. Confidence, skills, and water awareness continue to improve, and it is always rewarding watching them take those next steps.

After Term 2 I will be shutting down for winter, and lessons will start again in the September/October school holidays.

A few reminders before the end of term:

Please bring back your swimmers’ certificates now so I can update them before the term finishes. If you are new to Turtle Swim School, your child will receive a certificate. If you have misplaced yours, just let me know and I can organise a new one.

Please book early for Term 4 if you would like a spot, as classes have already started filling up.

A number of swimmers have made great progress this term and may be ready to move into a different class level for Term 4. I will email families individually if I think your child would benefit from changing classes.

During winter I sometimes fit in the occasional private lesson at other pools when I can, usually around taking my own kids to their sport. If you would like the odd one-off private lesson over winter, let me know and we can see if we can make something work.

Lost property is under the covered area if you see anything there that is yours.

Upcoming dates
September/October School Holiday Lessons
Week 1: 28 September – 2 October
Week 2: 5 October – 9 October

Term 4 2026
12 October – 18 December

December Intensive Lessons (Papamoa)
21 December – 24 December
4-day intensive week

Thank you again for your support this term. I really appreciate being part of your children’s swimming journey and love seeing the progress they continue to make.

Helene
Turtle Swim School

02/05/2026

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28/04/2026

Just a shout out to Jacob Botha for getting the top year 5 boy in the recent Western Bay of Plenty Swimming. Jacob is very driven in his swimming and I look forward to seeing where he goes with sport.

01/04/2026

It’s the last day of Term 1 today!

I’ve had such a great week with the kids, even got a few hugs along the way 💙

I absolutely love the rapport and relationships I build with the kids as they grow in confidence, learn to swim, and become safer in and around the water. Watching their journey is so rewarding.

We’ve been playing the card game with our length swimmers (a very popular request all term!), and it’s been such a fun way to finish off what has been an epic term of swimming.

Yesterday, I also got to watch some of our swimmers compete at the Western BOP Swimming Competition at Baywave. It was awesome to see so many of you that I have taurght, having fun, and giving it a go!

Both my girls love swimming and swim at Mount Swim Club, if your child is keen to take things further, we’re so lucky to have some amazing local clubs here in the Bay of Plenty.

Have a great Easter break and I look forward to seeing you back in the pool soon! 🏊‍♀️