Auckland’s Twisted Sisters Swim Ahead With NZCT Support

New Zealand Community Trust (NZCT) has given The Twisted Sisters Triathlon Club in Manurewa a $5,000 grant to support swim instruction for women, supplying pink swim caps for visibility and wetsuits to help with warmth and buoyancy.

Ironman and Triathlon NZ Certified Head Coach Kylie Frost says, “I created the Girl Buoy Swim Challenge to teach newer swimmers freestyle, sighting, and to help them face their fears. We meet for open water swims at Takapuna Beach, where many arrive too scared to swim out where they can’t touch the bottom. A few weeks with us and they’re hooked!”

The Twisted Sisters Club began in February 2023 when seven women completed the Generation Homes Women's Triathlon together, promising to support each other through their fears. Since then, the club has grown to over 100 members across New Zealand and beyond, competing in a range of sports. Among the 100 registered swimmers, many are new to sea swimming and lack funds to train regularly, with 45 eager to compete in triathlon.

NZCT’s GM of Grants, Marketing and Communications, Ben Hodges says, “This club has a wonderful supportive kaupapa. It’s fantastic how they are activating women and connecting them with the ocean. Grants like this wouldn’t be possible without the responsible gaming partnerships we share with our Auckland-based venues.”

Officially founded in 2024, the Twisted Sisters Triathlon Club is New Zealand’s first women-only triathlon club, to create a supportive and inclusive community where women of all abilities can learn, train, and compete in triathlon and related sports. The club focuses on building confidence, overcoming fears, and encouraging lifelong fitness through coaching, group training sessions, and community events

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