{"id":11,"date":"2025-03-16T09:54:08","date_gmt":"2025-03-16T09:54:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rainbowwaves.nz\/?page_id=11"},"modified":"2026-07-06T20:51:52","modified_gmt":"2026-07-06T20:51:52","slug":"home","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/rainbowwaves.nz\/","title":{"rendered":"Home"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

About Us<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Welcome to Rainbow Waves Swim Club, a masters swim club in \u014ctautahi Christchurch that brings together swimmers of the rainbow community (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Takat\u0101pui, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, Questioning, Trans & Allies) in a welcoming and supportive environment. Whether you\u2019re looking to improve your technique, build endurance, or simply enjoy the water with like-minded people, we have a place for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We offer structured, coach-led training sessions that run on a “4 weeks on, 2 weeks off” repeating schedule. These sessions provide the expert guidance and structured workouts needed to help members refine their skills\u2014all while maintaining the friendly, inclusive spirit that defines our club.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Golden Girl: \u014ctautahi Rainbow Waves\u2019 Annie Jones Conquers Gay Games Valencia 2026!<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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The waters of Spain have treated one of our very own incredibly well! We are absolutely thrilled to share that\u00a0<\/strong>\u014ctautahi Rainbow Waves\u00a0swimmer\u00a0Annie Jones\u00a0has put on a spectacular performance at the XII Gay Games in Valencia, bringing home a truly magnificent medal haul for Aotearoa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u200bAnnie proved her incredible versatility and elite endurance, mastering both the intense strategy of the outdoor pool and the grueling demands of the open sea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u200bA Triple-Medal Masterclass<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

\u200bCompeting under the Spanish sun in the outdoor 50-meter pool at Parc de l\u2019Oest, Annie went head-to-head with a fiercely competitive international field to lock in a brilliant\u00a0Bronze medal in the 50m Freestyle, showcasing her explosive speed. She followed that up with an absolute masterclass in the\u00a0200m Individual Medley (IM), navigating all four strokes with precision to capture her first\u00a0Gold medal\u00a0of the games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u200bBut she was far from finished. Trading the lane lines for the vast Mediterranean Sea at Cabanyal Beach, Annie took on the grueling\u00a05k Open Water Swim. Showing elite pacing and tactical brilliance against the coastal currents, she broke away from the pack to claim a stunning second\u00a0Gold medal, cementing a truly historic campaign for both herself and the club.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u200bEmbracing the True Spirit of the Games<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

\u200bWhile the medals are a fantastic bonus, Annie\u2019s journey perfectly embodied the three overarching values that define the Federation of Gay Games:\u00a0inclusion for all, participation at any level, and achieving one’s personal best through competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u200bWhether racing for gold or cheering from the stands, the event was a beautiful reminder that the Gay Games are about celebrating who you are through the universal language of sport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u200bKiwi Support in the Water<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

\u200bAnnie wasn’t the only Kiwi making waves under the Spanish sun. A passionate group of other LGBTQ+ swimmers from across New Zealand\u2014including representatives from prominent clubs like\u00a0Team Auckland Masters Swimmers (TAMS)<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Different Strokes Wellington (DSW)<\/a>\u2014also made the long journey to Valencia. The wider Kiwi contingent put on a fantastic showing across the board, clocking up multiple personal bests, securing top-tier age-group finishes, and bringing a proud, vibrant Kiwi spirit to the international mixed and all-gender relay events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u200bWelcoming Our Champion Home<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

\u200bAs the games wrap up and the flag prepares to head to Perth for 2030, we couldn’t be prouder to have Annie representing\u00a0\u014ctautahi Rainbow Waves\u00a0on the world stage. She returns home as an inspiration to everyone in our local Christchurch lanes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Swim With Us<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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We welcome swimmers of all backgrounds who want to stay active, improve their technique, and be part of a friendly swim community. To ensure everyone gets the most out of our sessions, we have a minimum swimming requirement:<\/p>\n\n\n\n