Dear Canterbury Taipans Swimming Families | New Management & FREE Swimming Club BBQ: Thursday 17 August & Other Important News!

Hello Canterbury Taipans Swimming Squad & Learn To Swim Families,

I hope you’re enjoying this warmer weather and longer, sunnier days as we edge towards spring.

For myself and Nadia Packer – our Learn To Swim Coordinator, while only being here a few weeks, we really appreciate your warm welcomes to go with the amazing sunsets here on the Hill.

I have great news and key dates to share, and want to express my thanks for all the conversations and feedback we’ve had from parents and members on the Aquatic Centre and Swimming Club.

There’s definitely ‘common ground’ around consistency, communication and building a true community sports club, which has been ‘top of mind’ while making the announcements below.

Taipans Swimming Squad Coach Announcement

I’m very pleased to announce Crystal Cao as our long-term Swimming Squad Coach.

Crystal has been a long-term Learn To Swim instructor here at the Canterbury Taipans, and the Little Taipans ‘Junior Squad’ Coach for quite some time.

She has the benefit of seeing many of our current ‘squaddies’ come through the program, and after working with the higher grades over the last few weeks, is already seeing performance improvements at recent Junior and Senior Short-Course Swimming Championships.

I want to personally thank Crystal for stepping up and working flat-out in the afternoons with her large number of students.

She has been an absolute trooper maintaining all squad programs from the Tiny Taipans up to the State Squads, and I’m pleased to say we’re in the final stages of recruiting another permanent staffer to support our afternoon swimming.

We’ll review the vacant Head Swimming Coach role down the track as our squad program evolves.

No Afternoon Swimming Squad: Friday 11 August

Unfortunately, due to other unavoidable commitments, Crystal will not be available this coming Friday afternoon 11 August.

We won’t have our new Junior Swimming Coach in place by then either, so all afternoon sessions need to be cancelled, with our apologies for any inconvenience caused.

Email reminders will go out closer to the date to those squaddies affected.

Friday’s morning session will run as per normal, and with this warmer weather, it’s a great opportunity to get your training done early and have the afternoon off.

Logan’s Ekka Public Holiday Closure: Monday 14 August

A friendly reminder that Monday 14 August is Logan’s Ekka Public Holiday, so both Canterbury College and the Aquatic Centre will be closed.

But we will be open as per normal on Wednesday 16 August for Brisbane’s Ekka Public Holiday.

If you plan on being away that Wednesday, please inform us of your absence via 

Club Nights & FREE Informal BBQ Information Evening: Thursday 17 August

Nothing builds a great Swimming Club like fun, family-oriented Club Nights.

This will be a huge focus as we move forward into Term 4, 2023 and Term 1, 2024.

During these terms, we’ll be running regular Thursday Club Nights, aimed at squaddies of all ages, plus Learn To Swim students aged 5-6 years old.

For those that have never participated in a Club Night, it’s a great social evening for kids to learn and practise what it’s like to compete at a swimming meet, in a fun, family-friendly event.

There’s something for all swimmers with 12.5 metre assisted races for the little ones to have fun while learning.

And we can build confidence in our older swimmers around a competition-based format, within a supportive informal environment.

Plus it’s a great opportunity to fine-tune race day skills in our really competitive swimmers!

To splash into these Club Nights, we’ll be hosting a FREE Informal BBQ Information Event:

What: Canterbury Taipans Swimming – FREE Informal BBQ Information Evening.

When: 4:30pm – 6:00pm, Thursday 17 August 2023.

Where: Canterbury Taipans Aquatic Centre – Canterbury College.
Entry via Sports Precinct Gate – Old Logan Village Road, Waterford with plenty of onsite parking.

Who: For ALL Current & Interested Canterbury Taipans Swimming Families, Students & Staff.

Host: Mr Kym McIntosh – General Manager, Taipans Sporting Club.

Cost: FREE! | RSVPs: Not Required | PS: Any burnt sausage feedback most welcome!

So come and enjoy a free sausage sizzle, learn about Club Nights and our Swimming Program, and how you can get involved as a parent or carer.

The best part of Club Nights for the adults, is often the social aspect of interacting with other like-minded parents, as you help out with stopwatch timing or facilitating some of the races.

We will also be running a trial or practise Club Night in Term 3 on Thursday 31 August.

I say ‘trial’ as it will be the first time for many parents practising with our timing system, as well as doing race nominations via the Swim Central membership and event entry system.

Registration and nomination information will be available at the BBQ and closer to the event.

Swim Meets & Competition Calendar

For the more serious competitors, I’m rapt to announce the Canterbury Taipans have secured hosting rights for a Long-Course Prep Meet to run the first weekend of February in 2024.

As Swimming Queensland finalises their Long-Course event schedule, we will release our competition calendar, so that all club members know which events we’re targeting, and will have a squad coach in attendance.

Having swimmers ready to smash PB’s, and be in medal contention at a Home Pool Swim Meet in February next year, will be a major training focus as it draws nearer.

Finally, even though I’m only a few weeks into my role here at the Canterbury Taipans, I have to say I’m already proud to be part of this Swimming community.

I can’t wait to build a mighty club with you all!

If you need to reach out to me, please feel free to email – 

For any administration matters, please email – 

Kind regards

Kym McIntosh

General Manager, Taipans Sporting Club