COMPETITIVE SWIMMING
IN THE PACIFIC ISLANDS
American Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji, Guam, Kosrae, Republic of the Marshall Islands, New Caledonia, Norfolk Island, Northern Mariana Islands, Republic of Palau, Papua New Guinea, Pohnpei, Samoa and Tahiti.
Facilities (2-29) Swimming Lessons (30-39) Aquatics Development & Clinics (40-50) Other Aquatic Activities & Open Water Swimming (51-72) Fundraising (73) Acknowledgements (74) 1
SAIPAN, NMI
SAIPAN INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL First home of the SAIPAN SWIM CLUB 1976 – 1987
Swim practice was held at the beach
2 when the hotel pool was too busy. SAIPAN, NMI
Saipan Swim Club training at the Saipan Beach Intercontinental Hotel.
Saipan Swim Club 1976 Weekday Swim Practice
The kidney shaped hotel pool was used for practice from 1976-87.
3 SAIPAN, NMI
The SAIPAN SWIM CLUB originally began training in the lagoon in Susupe in 1974 before it moved to the Saipan Beach Intercontinental Hotel pool, which they called home for the next 11 years.
The kidney shaped pool was 22m at it’s longest point and often swimmers shared the pool with
4 Japanese tourists. SAIPAN, NMI
1990 MICRONESIAN GAMES The Saipan Swim Club gained access to the Kan Pacific Resort’s 50m pool from 1987 to the present, and hosted the Micro Games in 1990.
5 AGANA, GUAM
AGANA POOL (50m x 8 lane competition/training pool)
6
AGANA, GUAM
The Guam Swim League competition took place at the AGANA POOL and included five Guam teams and Saipan in the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s.
7 GUAM
The SOUTHERN HIGH SCHOOL 50m pool was utilized for only one year before it was permanently damaged by a Super Typhoon.
8 GUAM
1999 SOUTH PACIFIC GAMES Opening Ceremony & Team March at the Southern High School Pool.
9 KOROR, PALAU
This was Palau’s first pool. It is a tide pool at T-DOCK in Koror, and is completely dependent upon the tides. It was used in the 80’s and 90’s as Aquatics programs were getting started.
10 KOROR, PALAU
T-DOCK TIDE POOL Swim Clinic & Swim Meet in 1989 in preparation for the 1990 Micronesian Games on Saipan.
11 ARAI, PALAU
ARAI HOTEL POOL (25m) used for swim team training and lessons until 1998. Pictured here is former National Coach Bismark Brel of Belau.
12 MEYUNS, PALAU
A fresh water 25m x 6 lane pool in MEYUNS Village, located adjacent to the lagoon, and built for the 1998 MICRONESIAN GAMES.
13 MEYUNS, PALAU
1998 MICRONESIAN GAMES Opening Ceremony in Meyuns Village.
14 ANGUAR, PALAU
A dockside pool in 2003 on ANGUAR, an outer island of Palau. The lane lines were made out of cellophane.
15 SUVA, FIJI
SUVA OLYMPIC POOL Site of the 1979 SOUTH PACIFIC GAMES.
16 SUVA, FIJI
At the SUVA OLYMPIC POOL, 1979 SOUTH PACIFIC GAMES. From the second story, or “Grandstands”, when Starter Barry Rickards sounded the gun for the start of the final swim event, a clean, plucked chicken dropped out of the sky.
17 NOUMEA, NEW CALEDONIA
OEN TORO POOL Site of the 1987 SOUTH PACIFIC GAMES.
18 PORT MORESBY, PAPUA NEW GUINEA
1991 SOUTH PACIFIC GAMES Sir Donald Cleland 50m competition pool at the Taurama Leisure Center.
19 APIA, SAMOA
FALEATA AQUATIC CENTER A four pool complex in TUANAIMATO, built for the 2007 SOUTH PACIFIC GAMES.
20 APIA, SAMOA
FALEATA AQUATIC CENTER Indoor 50m x 8 lane competition pool also hosted the 2010 Oceania Swimming Championships.
21 APIA, SAMOA
The FALEATA AQUATIC CENTER’s four pool complex also included an indoor waterpolo and diving pool, an outdoor 50m pool (5 lanes) and a kids pool.
22 LELU VILLAGE, KOSRAE
This 50m LELU CAUSEWAY POOL was built for the 1997 Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) Games.
23 PAGO PAGO, AMERICAN SAMOA
UTULEI BEACH, training site for swimmers for the 2007 SOUTH PACIFIC GAMES. Swim lessons were also conducted here.
24 PAGO PAGO, AMERICAN SAMOA
FAGA’ALU BEACH is used when waters are too rough or the tide is too low at Utulei Beach.
25 PAGO PAGO, AMERICAN SAMOA
Swim team training for the APIA 2007 South Pacific Games at the PAGO YACHT CLUB BEACH.
26 KWAJALEIN ATOLL, MARSHALL ISLANDS
This is the 25m MILLICAN FAMILY POOL used by the Kwajalein team. It is the only competitive pool in the Marshall Islands. The only other pool is a 33 1/3 yard saltwater pool for recreation.
27 PAPEETE, TAHITI
Olympic Pool for competition, used during the 1995 South Pacific Games.
28
PAPEETE, TAHITI
Olympic Pool for Swimming and Waterpolo competition at the 1995 South Pacific Games.
29 SWIMMING LESSONS
A variety of pools, lagoons, rivers, and causeways are used for training and swimming lessons throughout the Pacific region. Very few islands have pools, and most of those were built after the 1990’s.
“Learn To Swim” programs are the next major initiative in the islands.
30 LELU, KOSRAE
Swim lessons by COACH KRESMA at LELU CAUSEWAY, 1996.
31 SAIPAN, NMI
Swim lessons by the SAIPAN SWIM CLUB for the community at the ROYAL TAGA HOTEL in Susupe Village (1977).
32 SAIPAN, NMI
The SAIPAN SWIM CLUB provided swim lessons for the community at the SAIPAN GRAND HOTEL from 1978 for several years. Lessons the first couple of years were free to give back to the community.
33 SAIPAN, NMI
SWIM LESSONS at the KAN PACIFIC 50m POOL in MARPI, are now conducted annually by the SSC as a fundraiser (1997).
34 ROTA, NMI
Swim lessons at the ROTA HOTEL on Rota, an island 70 miles from Saipan, conducted by SSC team members.
35 NORFOLK ISLAND
Swim lessons & training conducted by NMI Coaches Bill and Jean Sakovich at the Fitzimmons home pool.
36 AMERICAN SAMOA
Swim lessons in PAGO PAGO at a private home pool, lessons by coaches and older swimmers.
37 COOK ISLANDS
The COOK ISLAND AQUATIC FEDERATION organizes swimming lessons and competitions.
38 RAROTONGA, COOK ISLANDS
Rarotonga Primary Schools Championships April 16-17, 2013 Nukupura Sports Park
The COOK ISLANDS also conduct open water races.
39 AQUATICS DEVELOPMENT
Swim clinics for swimmers and coaches are provided by host countries NOC’s, sports teams/clubs, through FINA Development Grants, or by visiting “guests”.
40 SAIPAN, NMI
USA OLYMPIC COACH DON GAMBRIL conducts a clinic in1994 at the Kan Pacific Pool.
41 SAIPAN, NMI
SWIM CLINIC by 1992 OLYMPIAN and Gold Medalist MIKE BARROWMAN with SSC Coach Jean Sakovich in 1994.
42 SAIPAN, NMI
Swimmers and parents listen and watch a TV presentation by OLYMPIAN MIKE BARROWMAN at the Kan Pacific Pool, 1994.
43 SAIPAN, NMI
The Saipan Swim Club working out with MEDICINE BALLS with Trainer BOB WINKFIELD.
44 SAIPAN, NMI
OLYMPIAN CHAD CARVIN conducts FINA DEVELOPMENT CLINICS at each of the main islands in MICRONESIA in 2002. He spoke to school students, Rotary Club members and conducted clinics for swim teams.
45 SAIPAN, NMI
Swim Clinic by Australian coach and sports scientist WAYNE GOLDSMITH and his wife, HELEN MOORE of ‘MOREGOLD’ in 1997. They gave excellent presentations on technique, goal setting and nutrition.
46 SAIPAN, NMI
Japanese Coaches brought their OSAKA YMCA Team for a training camp on Saipan in 2003. While there Coaches Chisato Furuzawa and Kana Kobayashi gave a clinic to SSC swimmers.
47 SAIPAN, NMI
Saipan’s own ANNEKA SAKOVICH returns to former club (SSC) and gives a clinic to younger swimmers. Anneka is a former triathlete, swimmer and medalist in the SOUTH PACIFIC GAMES for Saipan. She currently works in Sports Management, coaches Open Water for triathletes and still competes in Southern California.
48 SAIPAN, NMI
Former Saipan Swimmer, SPG medalist, Olympian, Pan American Games medalist and USA Team Member JON SAKOVICH, conducts clinics during his visits to several of the islands in Micronesia in 2005. Jon currently coaches club and high school at Bolles School in Jacksonville, Florida.
49 SAIPAN, NMI
1968 OLYMPIAN, WORLD RECORD HOLDER and HALL OF FAMER DEBBIE MEYER visited her brother on Saipan and gave a clinic to Saipan swimmers in 2003.
50 OTHER AQUATIC ACTIVITIES IN THE PACIFIC ISLANDS
Water Polo
Training Camps by Visiting Teams
Open Water Swimming
Outrigger Canoe Paddling
51 SAIPAN, NMI
The SAIPAN SWIM CLUB trains Waterpolo in the early season (2-3 months) at the Kan Pacific pool. Waterpolo is also played in New Caledonia, Tahiti, and Guam. The goals on Saipan were donated by the KALOS KAGATHOS FOUNDATION.
52 SAIPAN, NMI
Water Polo Coach KEVIN SEELY, working with the SAIPAN SWIM CLUB at the Kan Pacific Pool.
53 KOSRAE
WATERPOLO Goals donated by KALOS KAGATHOS FOUNDATION. [The Laguna Beach HS visited and conducted a clinic in 1997]
54 SAIPAN, NMI
The Saipan Sportfest is held annually and includes the XTERRA Saipan Triathlon and the TAGAMAN Triathlon.
55 SAIPAN, NMI
TRIATHLON COACH SCOTT PENNY (Australia), works with Saipan’s swimmers and triathletes on skills for Triathlon and Open Water Swimming at the Kan Pacific Pool in 2001.
56 SAIPAN, NMI
The JAPAN NATIONAL TEAM conducted a training camp in 1991. Numerous Japanese teams continue to come to the island for training camps. Pictured here is OLYMPIAN DAICHI SUZUKI (in red USA t-shirt) at the Kan Pacific Pool.
57 SAIPAN, NMI
FINA DEVELOPMENT OPEN WATER CLINIC conducted by TIMOR ABSALIAMOV from Russia in 1994.
58 SAIPAN, NMI
SAIPAN OCEAN SWIM (1979 or 1980) finish at the SAIPAN BEACH INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL in Garapan. This was one of the first big sporting events on the island with 200-300 participants.
59 SAIPAN, NMI
The 18TH ANNUAL SAIPAN OCEAN SWIM held off the beach fronting the ROYAL TAGA BEACH Hotel in Susupe Village. An annual event since 1974.
60 SAIPAN, NMI
1999 SAIPAN OCEAN SWIM start, sponsored by HSBC. Events open to swimmers from 8yrs and under, to 60yrs and over. Swimmers participated from Japan, Okinawa, Korea, the USA Mainland and Guam.
61 SAIPAN, NMI
The 21ST SAIPAN OCEAN SWIM off the former Royal Taga Beach in 1999. Buoys are used at inside turns, depth is about 1–1.5m, all swims are inside the reef, and all starts are by age groups. Swimmers must run up the beach about 20m to the finish.
62 SAIPAN, NMI
The main mark for the SAIPAN OCEAN SWIM is the WORLD WAR II TANK about 500m off the beach. This is the outside turning point for all swims. The “Tank Swim” is a popular swim for residents of the island at any time. (The windsurf sail is for sighting during the race)
63 TINIAN, NMI
TAGA BEACH is the site for Triathlon and Open Water Swimming. The Saipan Swim Club is doing a doing a practice swim for the next days race.
64 AMERICAN SAMOA
UTULEI BEACH, PAGO PAGO fronting SADIE’S BY THE SEA HOTEL is a site for Open Water Swim Competitions.
65 PALAU
This is the MEYUNS SEAPLANE RAMP and site for the 1998 MICRONESIAN GAMES Open Water Swim. The course was straight out and back, and the lane lines designated the start/finish chute. The Pacific Resort Hotel is also used for Open Water races.
66 FIJI
The OPEN WATER event in the 2003 SOUTH PACIFIC GAMES at Pacific Harbour. Some waters are rougher as shown here. The course was shortened for safety reasons due to the rough conditions.
67 ROTA, NMI
The 3RD Annual ROTA BLUE SWIM and TRIATHLON on the Eastside Harbour in 2002. The conditions can get rough, the water is deep, and fish, dolphins, rays, and turtles are often sighted.
68 ROTA, NMI
The finish of the Annual ROTA BLUE OPEN WATER SWIM includes a 20m run up a boat ramp. The event is sponsored by the Japan Triathlon Club.
69 NORFOLK ISLAND
At the 2001 MINI SOUTH PACIFIC GAMES, the Swim portion of the Triathlon took place at Emily Bay. The water was considered cold by Pacific Island standards and wetsuits were allowed.
70 TUMON BAY, GUAM
The finish line for the 1999 SOUTH PACIFIC GAMES Open Water Competition. This was the first open water competition at a SOUTH PACIFIC GAMES and is now a regular event on the schedule.
71 MERIZO, GUAM
The Annual COCOS ISLAND CROSSING (1996), sponsored by the MANUKAI ATHLETIC CLUB is a 2.5 mile swim between Cocos Island and Merizo Village, at the Southern tip of Guam.
72 FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATED WITH AQUATIC EVENTS IN THE ISLANDS
Swim-A-Thons (In a pool or along the shoreline)
Fundraising (Shave Ice Sales, Bake Sales, Cookbook Sales)
Team Fun Runs (5k & 10k)
Swim Lessons
Duathlons & Triathlons (Sprint & Long Course/Road & Off-Road)
73 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Thank you to all who contributed photos or information regarding competitive swimming.
These photos and comments follow swimming from 1974 through to 2010.
I apologize if I am missing anything, but I did not receive your information in time.
Compiled by Bill Sakovich, October 2013 Contact: [email protected]
74