Lifestyle, Fitness & Recreation

Swimming is an activity and a skill to participate in for life! Whether you swim for enjoyment, to socialise with friends and whanau, for fitness or health and wellbeing, swimming has so many ways to provide a positive experience. We are committed to supporting all New Zealanders have a lifelong love of the water.

Unlock Your Greatness by getting involved in swimming for your health and wellbeing today!

Safety Guidelines

We are grateful to have so many wonderful locations to go swimming. We also want everyone to have a safe experience in the water. To help you have a great experience at your local waterhole, we have developed some guidelines to help keep you safe during your swim.

Open Water Swimming Guide

Water Safety Code

Get Active in the Water

There are so many ways to enjoy the water for lifestyle, fitness and recreation in New Zealand. Check out some of these and remember to do so safely.

Lap Swimming

This is a popular way of being active in the water. We will be sharing some tips and training plan ideas to assist you moving forward

Learn More

Open Water Swimming

We are fortunate to have so many stunning waterways to swim in. Whether it’s rivers, lakes or ocean, it's important to stay safe

Learn More

Water Aerobics & Aqua Jogging

Lots of pools offer space for aqua jogging or provide water aerobics classes, which is great for fitness or recovery from injury.

Find a Pool

Masters Swimming

Competitive swimming has no age. Get involved with your local masters group for regular training and a ton of fun racing.

NZ Masters Swimming

Water Polo

A fast-paced team sport played in a pool. It combines elements of swimming, ball handling, and strategy.

New Zealand Water Polo

Diving

Diving is an exciting sport where athletes perform acrobatic movements as they dive from a platform or springboard into a pool.

Diving New Zealand

Artistic Swimming

Formerly known as synchronised swimming, this visuall stunning sport combines elements of swimming, dance, and gymnastics.

Artistic Swimming NZ

Surf Life Saving

This sport combines athleticism with lifesaving skills, with opportunities to compete in the surf, on the beach, or in the pool.

Surf Lifesaving NZ

Surfing

A thrilling water sport where athletes ride on waves using a surfboard.

Surfing New Zealand

Rowing

A water sport where individuals or teams race against eachother in boats, using oars to propel the boat forward

Rowing NZ

Triathlon

An endurance multisport event that combines three different disciplines: swimming, cycling, and running.

TRI NZ

Wind Surfing

A thrilling, fast-paced water sport that combines elements of surfing and sailing.

Windsurfing NZ

Wake Boarding

An action water sport where a rider is towed behind a motorised boat or a cable system. It combines elements of waterskiing, snowboarding and surfing.

Wakeboarding NZ

Canoe Racing

A competitive water sport in which athletes race in a canoe or kayak over a specific distance, usually in a straight line or around a course.

Canoe Racing NZ

Sailing

A water sport where athletes use boats to harness the power of the wind to propel themselves across water.

Yachting New Zealand

Canoe Slalom

A competitive discipline within the sport of canoeing, where athletes navigate a canoe or kayak through a series of gates on whitewater course.

Canoe Slalom NZ

Waka Ama

A traditional Polynesian sport that involves racing outrigger canoes over various distances and in different water conditions.

Waka Ama Aotearoa NZ

Underwater Sports

There are a ton of incredible underwater sports to experience, from SCUBA diving to underwater hockey.

NZ Underwater

Tips & Training Plans

We want to help you have some tips to help you have the best experience in the water. Watch this space for useful tips and training plans to aid your swimming experience.

Learn More

Open Water Events Calendar

Whilst not everyone swims to train for events, it can be great to have a goal to aspire to and a great way to utilise the stunning locations around Aotearoa. Check out some great opportunities to be involved from our partners.