Te Arawa Swimming Club, located in Rotorua, is a vibrant and inclusive swim club dedicated to making swimming accessible to all people. With a strong emphasis on fun and proven approaches to swimming, Te Arawa Swimming welcomes new members of all ages and abilities. The club offers various squad options through its coaching partnership with United Aquatic Sports.
The club is proud to carry the name Te Arawa, paying homage to its cultural heritage. The name Te Arawa derives from the Arawa waka, which refers to the tribal area encompassing “Mai I Maket ki Tongariro, Ko Te Arawa te waka" – the physical boundaries used by iwi when identifying their whenua. This name also honours the waka that brought ancestors to Aotearoa from Hawaiki. During their incredible journey, the Arawa waka faced many challenges, including a treacherous encounter with the great ocean creature, Te Parata, that nearly consumed them.
However, they were saved from certain death by a mythical great shark, prompting the people to rename the canoe and themselves Te Arawa in its honour.
Inspired by the bravery and resilience of the shark, Te Arawa Swimming Club draws strength from this mighty creature. The club's Hammerhead Shark (Mangpare) logo, originally designed by Dallas Hawe (Ngti Whakaue, Ngti Pikiao - Te Arawa), symbolises strength, leadership, agility, tenacity, unrelenting determination, and courage. The Hammerhead features prominently in the club's branding and the swimmers' uniform.
Te Arawa Swimming Club expresses deep gratitude to Te Arawa kaumatua and leaders who granted their blessing for the club to carry such a prestigious name. Since its establishment in 2014, the club has strived to live up to the values and spirit represented by Te Arawa and its powerful shark symbolism.
For more information about Te Arawa Swimming Club, including uniform requirements, squad options, coaching, and other resources, please visit our website. Whether you're a beginner looking to learn how to swim or an experienced swimmer wanting to join a dynamic and inclusive swim club, Te Arawa Swimming welcomes you with open arms. Nau mai haere mai, welcome to Te Arawa Swimming!