The Ripple Effect

More Than 30 Years of Teaching the Kapiti Coast to Swim

Myself in 1998 at the good old Raumati Pool

Recently my partner and I were walking our dog beside a river. While we waited for him to finish investigating every stick and patch of sand, we began skipping stones across the water.

Watching the ripples spread from each stone made me think about how one small action can continue long after the moment has passed.

Teaching swimming is a little like that.

Every lesson, every word of encouragement and every new skill learnt creates a ripple that reaches well beyond the pool.

At Kapiti Learn To Swim, we've been fortunate to witness those ripples for more than 30 years.

But our family's connection to swimming began even earlier.

Long before Kapiti Learn To Swim opened its doors in 1994, my Grandparents were already deeply involved in the swimming community on the Kapiti Coast. In 1972, my Grandfather constructed a family swimming pool in their backyard, which served as the primary teaching and training facility while the Raumati Pool underwent renovations to add a roof. This initiative created a welcoming space for local children to learn one of life’s most essential skills through dedicated teaching and supportive squads.

It was never simply about teaching children to swim.

It was about helping them become safer and more confident around water.

That belief became the foundation of everything that followed.

When my mum, Mandi McKenzie, established Kapiti Learn To Swim in October 1994, the swim school welcomed around 80 swimmers each week. As more local families discovered the programme, it steadily grew, along with strong partnerships with local schools who brought students for weekly swimming lessons.

Over the years, thousands of children have learnt to swim with us.

Many of those children are now parents themselves, bringing the next generation through our doors.

Some of our current teachers first entered our pool as babies.

That is something we're incredibly proud of.

Throughout those years, the focus has never changed.

Swimming is an important life skill, but water safety is even more important.

Every lesson is about building confidence, developing good decision-making around water and giving children skills they will carry with them for life—whether they're swimming at the beach, exploring rivers, enjoying a family holiday or simply spending an afternoon at the local pool.

Throughout our journey, we have been fortunate to receive numerous accolades. Mum was recognised as the Master Swim Teacher of the Year, while I had the privilege of being awarded Swim Teacher of the Year. Additionally, Kapiti Learn to Swim has been honoured multiple times for its innovations and Outstanding contributions to the community.

While these awards are special, they really recognise the dedication of the many wonderful teachers who have been part of Kapiti Learn To Swim over the years.

Teaching swimming has always been a team effort.

In October 2023, I was incredibly proud to take over ownership of Kapiti Learn To Swim and continue the family legacy.

While we're always looking ahead and finding new ways to improve what we do, our values remain the same as they were all those years ago.

We want every swimmer who walks through our doors to leave more confident than when they arrived.

Some children celebrate putting their face in the water for the very first time.

Others master a new stroke, complete a difficult level or discover a love of competitive swimming.

For adults, it might be overcoming a lifelong fear of water.

Every achievement matters.

Every swimmer has their own story.

As teachers, we are privileged to be part of those stories, even if only for a small chapter.

For over 30 years, Kapiti Learn To Swim has been grateful to every family who has trusted us, every teacher who has shared their passion, and every swimmer who has allowed us to be part of their journey.

Those lessons don't finish when swimmers leave our pool.

They continue through family beach trips, school camps, surf clubs, holidays and, one day, perhaps with children of their own.

That's the ripple effect.

Thank you for being part of ours.

— Jacqui McKenzie