The 2023 Swim Coaches & Teachers New Zealand Awards were held on Saturday 9 November in conjunction with their annual conference and AGM. It was a great night celebrating achievements during the 2022-23 season and acknowledged great service to the aquatics industry.

Swim Dunedin's Lars Humer received the Coach of the Year award, a testament to the hard work put into the Swim Dunedin over the 2022-23 season. Humer won the award for Erika Fairweather's NZ Record-breaking performance in the 400m Freestyle at the 2023 Apollo Projects NZ Swimming Championships, where she became the sixth fastest woman in the history of the sport - a mark she went on to better at the World Championships in Fukuoka.

Unfortunately Lars was not able to receive his award in person, as he continues to work closely with his squad as they build to Doha and Paris. However, friend Frank Tourelle accepted the award on his behalf. 

But Humer wasn't the only Otago person to be honoured at the Awards Evening. JC Swim School's Aleisha Clarke was awarded Master Swim Teacher of the Year, and JC Swim School also received a Highly Commended in the 'Outstanding Contribution to Learn to Swim and Water Safety' category. It is great to see Aleisha and the team at JC Swim School being recognised for all they do for Learn to Swim in Dunedin and beyond!

Article added: Tuesday 12 September 2023