01 April 2018, 8PM

More than qualified swim coaching for CQ

Apart from having a tremendous business name, Aqualification & Fitness also make an amazing contribution to swimming in CQ.

If running the popular and vibrant Northside Pool doesn’t keep them busy enough, the dynamic pair of Val Kalmikovs and Joy Symons’ business, Aqualification & Fitness, definitely keeps them occupied. With swim based training ranging from Learn to Swim programs for kids through to Triathlon Swim Squads, Aquatic Education and Aquatic Fitness and Sports Development, they offer something for everyone at every level.

On top of this, the duo are also involved in the YTF both through their financial contributions and the training and promotions they give to tri-sports in and around our region. For all of this, we are obviously very appreciative and also all on the same page.

Knowing a little of the pair’s history easily explains their passion for swimming and coaching.

Val was born in Russia but grew up in Latvia. Having a swim coach for his mother it’s not surprising Val qualified for his first Olympics at age 19, though he was unable to compete due to a clerical error. With a Masters Degree in Sports Management and Athletic Administration, his initial set back did not hinder him from going on to achieve an impressive four Olympic qualifications, nine World Championships and competing in many more World Cups.

Apart from having an over-achiever for a husband and two beautiful children together, Joy also comes from a swimming family, drawing her into the industry at just age 9. Joy has represented Australia numerous times, was the 100m Freestyle Australian Champion in 1997, competed in the world Cup in 1999 and the World Short Course Championships and Oceania Championships in 2000. Joy later accepted an athletic scholarship to the University of Hawaii where she studied biology and met her husband to be Val.

Joy also has a Masters Degree in Special Education, Public Administration and Communications and was the Graduate Assistant Coach to the California State University from 2006-2008.

Having travelled the globe teaching and coaching swimming, we are grateful that the duo ended up in Rockhampton and, apart from making us here at the YTF feel a little inadequate sometimes, known that they are more than equipped to continue making a positive impact in the lives of swimmers in our region.

If you are in the area, you will find the North Rockhampton Pool (aka the 42nd Battalion Memorial Pool) generally open 9 am to 6 pm Monday to Fridays and 10 am to 5 pm on the weekends. Featuring 3 x 10m waterslides, a 18-hole mini golf course complete with sound effects and a pirate ship (yes, a pirate ship!), a super cool jumping pillow, an 8 lane pool, a wading pool and costing only $2 entry fee, we’re sure you’ll find something for all the family to do.