Records Fall as Regional Short Course Champs Build Momentum for Nationals

Competition Wrap - 2025 Regional Short Course Swimming Championships

Our regions have been delivering their respective regional short course swimming championships over the past few months, with more than 2,000 participants across the 12 competitions, where a total of seven New Zealand records and three New Zealand age records were achieved.

These championships play an important role in the competition pathway for New Zealand, as articulated in the Competition Review announced last year. As part of the recommendations from the review, the regional championships have been spread across the calendar to provide swimmers the opportunity to race at multiple championships. They also provide a solid platform for swimmers to prepare for the NZ Short Course Swimming Championships which will be held from next weekend.

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We have provided a summary of highlights from each of the regional short course championships below. Thanks to our regions for organising and delivering these competitions, and for sharing their memorable moments. And a special thank you to the many volunteers who made these competitions possible.

Many swimmers have used these regional championships as a stepping stone in their preparations for nationals, with plenty of exciting racing on the cards for the 2025 NZ Short Course Swimming Championships being held in Auckland from 21 – 25 September. You can get the latest updates about the championships via the Swimming NZ social media channels and website, and watch the action live and free on the Swimming NZ YouTube channel.

Reminder that a limited number of additional spectator tickets will go on sale from 9am on Saturday 13 September.

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Please see a summary of each regional championships below, courtesy of the respective region. We will share the regional long course championships calendar for the summer in early October.

Regional Short Course Championships Highlights

Auckland Northland

2025 Auckland Northland Short Course Championships

Dates: 22 – 24 August 2025

Venue: West Wave Aquatic Centre, Auckland

These championships were held across six sessions at West Wave Aquatic Centre. 566 swimmers were in action during the three-day competition, with a collective of eight Auckland Northland regional records achieved in the pool. Grayson Coulter (North Shore) continued his strong form to break two 13 Years New Zealand age records in the 50m and 200m freestyle.

Bay of Plenty

2025 Bay of Plenty Short Course Showdown

Dates: 8 – 10 August 2025

Venue: Baywave, Mt Maunganui

More than 250 swimmers took on the showdown in Mt Maunganui. Chloe Gladwin (Whakatane) used this as a final preparation for the 2025 World Virtus Swimming Championships and broke a New Zealand record in the S19 400m freestyle.

Canterbury West Coast

2025 SCWC Short Course Championships

Dates: 11 – 13 July 2025

Venue: Selwyn Aquatic Centre

The Swimming Canterbury West Coast Short Course Championships welcomed over 200 swimmers from 17 clubs from all over the South Island, with hot competition for medals from both within region and visitors alike. There was tough competition for age group, open and multi-class short course titles with racing pushing limits. There were four age group SCWC regional short course records broken, including one that had been set by Aquablack Taiko Torepe-Ormsby.

Swimming Canterbury West Coast can’t wait to host their first regional long course championships in Christchurch in over 15 years and look forward to welcoming you all there.

Hawke’s Bay Poverty Bay

2025 HBPB Winter Short Course Championships

Dates: 8 – 10 August 2025

Venue: Hawke’s Bay Regional Aquatic Centre

Hawke’s Bay Poverty Bay were thrilled to have 325 swimmers at their regional short course championships from 19 different clubs, including 12 from outside of the region. There was fierce competition for the regional titles and medals, with relay cups and team points trophies particularly close. The championships concluded with a draft 10 x 50m freestyle relay with plenty on the line.

Alongside the racing, nine officials passed their assessments to gain their Inspector of Turns qualifications. The championships also hosted the prize giving where regional awards were presented and recognised.

Manawatu

2025 Manawatu Winter Championships

Dates: 1 – 2 August 2025

Venue: Freyberg Community Pool, Palmerston North

More than 125 swimmers competed at the Regional Championships held in Palmerston North. Some of the highlights included Jonty Howland (Dannevirke) being presented with two New Zealand record certificates from achievements in recent months. Another was the presentation of RAGE certificates, an initiative delivered by Swimming Manawatu for Recognising Age Group Excellence.

Nelson Marlborough

2025 Swimming Nelson Marlborough Short Course Championships

Dates: 1 – 3 August 2025

Venue: Stadium 2000, Blenheim

More than 115 swimmers took part in the championships.

Otago

2025 Otago Short Course Championships

Dates: 9 – 10 August 2025

Venue: Moana Pool, Dunedin

The championships were held in a new format for the first time in 2025, this time held across four sessions over a weekend. Each session was no longer than two a half hours, with 178 athletes taking to the pool in total across 901 entries. More than 50% of swims were personal bests, with six Otago regional records broken across the championships, showcasing the quality of racing on offer.

Alongside the racing, there were four officials assessed who become qualified Inspector of Turns during the championships, and five Swimming Otago Life Members officiated on pool deck.

Swimming Otago's Full Wrap

South Island (hosted by Nelson Marlborough)

2025 South Island Short Course Championships

Dates: 22 – 24 August 2025

Venue: Stadium 2000, Blenheim

More than 220 swimmers from across the South Island converged on Blenheim for the South Island Short Course Championships. There were fast performances and strong competition, with six New Zealand records broken during the three days of racing, with Charlotte Rozen (Wharenui) achieving four and Brooke Anderson (Vikings) achieving one.

Southland

2025 Southland Short Course Championships

Date: 3 August 2025

Venue: Splash Palace, Invercargill

Swimming Southland hosted their Regional Championships in one day, with 80 swimmers having plenty of opportunity to test themselves as they swam in an average of five races each (393 entries). The two sessions in the same day created an exciting and efficient format that kept the action flowing in the pool. Relays highlighted team spirit, and the day showcased a mix of talent and enthusiasm.

Taranaki

2025 Taranaki Winters

Dates: 27 – 29 June 2025

Venue: Bell Block Aquatic Centre, New Plymouth

More than 100 swimmers from 12 North Island clubs competed in the championships.

Waikato

2025 Swimming Waikato Winter Short Course

Dates: 6 – 7 September 2025

Venue: Waterworld Te Rapa, Hamilton

Swimming Waikato hosted two meets over the same weekend, with a development meet for their 12 years and under swimmers and an officiated meet for those aged 13 years and over. There were many swimmers who achieved qualifying times for the upcoming NZ Short Course Swimming Championships and several regional records broken.

Wellington

2025 Swimming Wellington Short Course Championships

Dates: 14 – 15 June 2025

Venue: Wellington Regional Aquatic Centre

The championships had a strong attendance from clubs outside of Wellington, with more than 265 swimmers taking part. There were some record-breaking performances, with five Regional Records achieved and one New Zealand record by Nathaniel Wood in the SM10 400m individual medley (open and 16&U age).