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Life at Mokin Aquatics
Training, teamwork, competition and the moments that make our aquatic community special.
ReelThank You, MKNAutomate.co.nz — Supporting the Future of Water Polo in NZ
The Water Polo Masterclass on 11 October 2026 at Glen Innes Pool & Leisure Centre was possible thanks to the generous support of MKN Automate.
Their financial help allowed us to run a free specialised training session for young water polo players — giving players access to professional coaching, technique development, reaction training, positioning work, and game‑intelligence drills.
Support like this doesn’t just fund a session.
It builds confidence, opens opportunities, and helps young athletes grow into strong, smart, high‑performance.
Why Sponsorship Matters
• Youth development — more kids get access to quality training
• Community impact — strong programmes create strong local sport culture
• Goalkeeper safety & education — proper coaching reduces injuries and builds long‑term skill
• Growth of water polo in NZ — sponsorship helps the sport expand and reach new athletes
Become a Sponsor
If you or your organisation would like to support water polo development in New Zealand — especially goalkeeper training — feel free to reach out via message.
Your help can create real change for young athletes.
Thank you again, MKN Automate, for standing behind youth sport and helping us build stronger, smarter goalkeepers.
Follow Mokin Aquatics for updates, training opportunities, and future open trainings. #ilyamokin #MokinAquatics #mknautomate #swimming #waterpolo
ReelMost players don’t think about ball pressure.
Goalkeepers must.
A water polo ball that is under‑inflated becomes unpredictable, heavy, and dangerous. It can bend fingers, cause wrist injuries, and even increase the risk of head impact issues like mild concussions. A soft ball absorbs force differently — and goalkeepers take that force directly on their hands, arms, and sometimes the face.
That’s why correct pressure isn’t just a detail.
It’s player safety.
Why Proper Ball Pressure Protects Goalkeepers
• Hand safety — a firm ball reduces finger bending and wrist strain
• Impact control — predictable bounce = lower risk of head and face injuries
• Reaction training — correct pressure keeps the ball fast and realistic for goalkeeper drills
• Game accuracy — shooters train correctly, goalkeepers read shots better
A deflated ball is not “easier.”
It’s dangerous.
That’s why before every session, I personally check and inflate all balls to the correct pressure — to protect our goalkeepers and ensure high‑quality training.
Join Our Training #ilyamokin #mokinaquatics #swim #waterpolo
ReelWhy Backstroke Is a Game‑Changing Skill
Backstroke isn’t just another swimming style — it’s one of the most important foundations for confidence, safety, and control in the water.
Yesterday at Glen Innes Pool & Leisure Centre, we focused on developing this skill, and the progress was incredible. When swimmers learn to move comfortably on their back, everything else becomes easier.
Why Backstroke Matters
• Body alignment — teaches you to keep your body long, stable, and efficient
• Breathing comfort — you breathe freely, which builds rhythm and reduces stress
• Water confidence — knowing you can float and move on your back removes fear of deep water
• Leg strength — backstroke develops a powerful, consistent kick
• Safety foundation — essential for staying calm and controlled in any situation
Backstroke is one of the smartest skills to master — it builds technique, confidence and awareness all at once. #ilyamokin #mokinaquatics #swimmingpool #swimming
ReelWalking looks simple — but for a goalkeeper, it’s one of the smartest forms of training.
Goalkeeping is not only about explosive saves. It’s about control, balance, body awareness, and endurance. Walking builds all of these quietly, safely, and effectively.
Why walking matters for goalkeepers
• Balance & stability — every step strengthens the muscles that keep you stable in the cage
• Endurance without overload — walking builds long-lasting stamina without stressing joints
• Reaction foundation — better footwork = faster reaction in the water
• Mental clarity — walking resets the mind, helping goalkeepers stay calm and focused
Smart training isn’t always loud. Sometimes it’s as simple as walking 30–40 minutes a day — consistently.
Join our Goalkeeper Programme
If you want to train smarter, understand your body, and become a more confident goalkeeper, join our specialised session at Glen Innes Pool & Leisure Centre.
🗓 11 October
⏰ 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
🎯 Goalkeeper Masterclass — free for players under 18
Sponsored by MKN Automate
You can ask questions, get advice, and learn how to build strong habits — including the smart ones like walking.
Message Mokin Aquatics to join.
Your next save starts with smart training.
Goalie Could Win a Game If He Knows How
Every great save starts long before the shot.
It begins with smart training, clear technique, and game awareness — the mindset that separates good goalkeepers from great ones.
Join our Water Polo Goalkeeper Masterclass at Glen Innes Pool —
11 October, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Free specialised training for players under 18.
Led by an experienced coach, this focused session covers:
• Technique and positioning — learn to control space and dictate the game
• Reaction and timing — build explosive saves and quick decisions
• Game intelligence — understand shooters, anticipate plays, and lead your team
Sponsored by MKN Automate, supporting youth sport and helping young goalkeepers grow stronger every season.
If you’ve ever wanted to ask a question, get advice, or learn how to train smarter — this is your chance.
I’ll be there to share insights, answer your questions, and help you build confidence in the cage.
Limited places — message Mokin Aquatics to join.
Follow Mokin Aquatics for updates, goalkeeper tips, and future training sessions.
Your next save starts here.
#ilyamokin #mknautomate #waterpolo #auckland
ReelGoalie Could Win a Game If He Knows How
Being a goalkeeper is not about luck.
It’s about technique, reaction, positioning, and game intelligence — the skills that turn a goalie into the player who can win the game.
At Mokin Aquatics, we run a specialised Goalkeeper Programme designed for athletes who want to grow fast, train smart, and become confident leaders in the cage.
What You’ll Learn
• Technique mastery — efficient movement, strong base, correct blocking angles
• Reaction development — explosive saves and fast decision‑making
• Positioning — reading shooters, controlling space, dictating the game
• Game intelligence — anticipation, timing, tactical awareness
These sessions are structured, progressive, and built to create high‑performance goalkeepers — not just shot‑stoppers, but thinkers.
Join Our Goalkeeper Programme
Whether you’re a beginner or already competing, this programme will elevate your game and help you understand how a goalie wins.
Follow Mokin Aquatics for training tips, updates, and new goalkeeper content.
Your next level starts here.
👉 Subscribe to stay connected and grow with us.#ilyamokin #mokinaquatics #waterpolo #nzwp
CarouselStory of Smart Training
Location: Glen Innes Pool & Leisure Centre 09.10.26 at 7pm——————————————-—————————————————-
On the photo: Me on 26.12.2022 — my first day in New Zealand.
That day I made one decision: train smart, not random.
Then — 26.12.2022
Height: 192 cm
Weight: 119 kg
NZWP Medals: 0
NZWP National Team: ➖
Best Goalie Awards: ➖
I had no medals, no titles, no national team selection.
Just a goal — to rebuild myself from zero.
Now — 29.09.2026
Height: 192 cm
Weight: 89 kg
NZWP Medals: 🥇5 🥈3 🥉4
NZWP National Team: ’25
Marist Best Goalkeeper Award: ’24
This transformation didn’t happen because I trained more.
It happened because I trained smart.
What Smart Training Means
• Technique first — power comes from efficiency, not force
• Consistency over intensity — small steps every week beat one hard session
• Body‑specific programming — your age, mobility, strength and breathing matter
• Recovery as part of training — progress happens between sessions
Smart training is not about suffering.
It’s about understanding your body and building it step by step.
Why I’m sharing this
Because on October 9, 2026 at Glen Innes Pool & Leisure Centre, I want you to experience what smart training feels like.
You’ll get:
• A full assessment
• Technique & breathing consultation
• Strength & water‑confidence check
• A personalised home program sent to your email
45 minutes — only $29.
This is your chance to start your own story.
📩 How to join
Message Mokin Aquatics — limited spots.
Your transformation begins with one smart decision.
#ilyamokin #mokinaquatics #swimming #auckland
Reel7 pm. October 9, 2026.— Glen Innes Pool & Leisure Centre.
➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ Unlock the full potential of your body in the water.
With my Bachelor Degree in Professional Education, I design training sessions that match your age, physical characteristics, and personal goals — safely, effectively, and with real progress.
🗓 Open Training Session for New Students
What you’ll experience:
• Assessment training session to evaluate your current level
• Technique and breathing consultation
• Strength & water‑confidence check
• A personalised home training program delivered straight to your email after the session
Programs available during consultation:
• Individual Training — personalised approach for fast results
• Wings on Water — learn to feel the water and move effortlessly
• Gentle Swimming Adults — soft, confidence‑building training for adults
Who is this for?
For swimmers who can swim but feel insecure —
fatigue, fear of deep water, unstable technique, breathing issues.
We fix this together. 45 minutes — only $29
📩 How to join
Send a message to Mokin Aquatics — limited spots available.
#ilyamokin #mokinaquatics #gleninnes #swimming auckland
CarouselIn June 2018, our Baumanets team from Moscow State fought our way all the way to the final of the National Water Polo Association NWA Water Polo Cup — and came home as Silver Medalists.
We lost the final to Olimp, but honestly, that doesn’t take away from what we achieved. That season was one of the best blends of youth and experience I’ve ever been part of, and I was proud to carry the “experience” side of that mix.
We pushed hard, believed in each other, and proved that a team built on trust and hard work can reach the biggest games.
It’s a memory I still carry with me — not because of the medal, but because of the people, the energy, and the feeling of growing together.
If you were part of that journey, thank you. If you’re reading this now, I hope it inspires you to chase your own final — whatever it looks like.
See you by the pool. #ilyamokin #mokinaquatics #BaumanetsSpirit
CarouselWings on Water 🕊️
There’s a moment when fear turns into flow — when the water stops feeling deep and starts feeling light.
Our Gentle Swimming program was created for adults who want to reconnect with that feeling. Step by step, breath by breath, you’ll rediscover calm, rhythm, and trust in the water.
Six sessions. Mini‑groups. One open‑water finale.
Confidence doesn’t rush — it grows. 🌊
CarouselReady to stop surviving in the water and start swimming with confidence? Our 6‑session program (5 pool lessons + 1 open‑water session) is designed for people who can swim a little but get tired, anxious, or lose control in deeper water. In lessons you’ll build water confidence, improve backstroke and breaststroke technique, learn safe diving and breath‑control skills, and practice open‑water orientation and self‑rescue — all with short, safe intervals and constant instructor support. Each course includes a simple before/after test (25 m backstroke + 25 m breaststroke, breath‑hold and relaxed float) so you can see real, measurable progress. Groups are kept small for safety and personalized feedback; and every session emphasizes relaxation, efficient technique, and gradual endurance. Spaces are limited to ensure quality coaching and a safe open‑water experience, so book your group today to secure a spot and start swimming stronger together. #ilyamokin #mokinaquatics #nz #swimming
ReelAt Mokin Aquatics, we believe that smart training builds confident athletes — and strong future water polo players.
Our programmes are designed with care and purpose. We’re not here to compete with clubs — we’re here to support them by developing swimmers who already have solid technique, water confidence, and the right foundations for the sport.
Smart training means:
• Progressive development through each season
• Strong fundamentals before intensity
• Age‑appropriate load to protect young athletes
• Collaboration with clubs to grow water polo together
Our mission is simple: help every club receive athletes who are ready to learn, ready to grow, and ready to love water polo.
If you’d like to see how our programmes support long‑term athlete development, visit our website — link in bio.
— Ilya Mokin
Head Coach, Mokin Aquatics #ilyamokin #mokinaquatics #nzwp