Lars Humer represented New Zealand in both Surf Lifesaving and Open Water swimming in his earlier years, and was also a professional Surf Ironman athlete. His journey with coaching began in 1977, when he took on a swim teaching and coaching apprenticeship in Dunedin, learning from storied coach Mr Duncan Laing. Not only did
Humer see this opportunity as a great way to stay involved in sport for the long term; he also thought it sounded significantly better than getting a ‘real’ job.

After doing his apprenticeship with Mr Laing, Humer coached at Kaikorai Swimming Club in Dunedin before moving north to Christchurch and taking up a gig at the Aquagym training programme.

Throughout his 48 years of coaching, Humer has accumulated a wealth of experience around the globe, having held roles across Australia, the United Kingdom, and Ireland. At a club level, Humer coached at Manly Swim Club in Australia, Stockport Swim Club in England, and Limerick Swim Club in Ireland. Humer worked in high performance with British Swimming for 14 years. From 1999 to 2001, he was the Great Britain Stockport High Performance Centre Coach, a position he resumed from 2010 to 2013. He also spent a two-year stint as the Great Britain Manchester High Performance Para Head Coach from 2002, while simultaneously holding the role of Great Britain National Head Coach of the Para Swimming Programme from 2002 through 2009. Humer also spent five years with Swim Ireland as the Head Coach of their Limerick High Performance Centre.

Humer has been involved in national sporting teams for 35 years, with 25 years spent in the swimming space. Over this time, he has coached at all the major international competitions, including the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, both long and short course World Championships, Commonwealth Games and European Championships, across three federations – Great Britain, Ireland and New Zealand.

Many achievements have highlighted his career, including coaching athletes to become Paralympic champions and Olympic finalists.

Since returning to New Zealand, Humer has spent the past six years restoring swimming in Dunedin to its former glory. His development of the Swim Dunedin programme has resulted in the development of a strong squad featuring six Aquablacks, including three of the nine swimmers selected for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games: Caitlin Deans, Erika Fairweather, and Kane Follows.

Over this time, Humer has become an integral part of New Zealand teams, having been the head coach of five international teams (2018 Junior Pan Pacific Championships, 2018 FINA World Swimming Championships (25m), 2019 FINA World Aquatics Championships, 2019 FINA World Junior Swimming Championships, and Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games) and part of the coaching team on a further two World Aquatics Championships (2023 and 2024). Humer has been a selected as a coach for the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic Games, marking his fifth Games campaign.

Humer sees one of his most significant achievements as the constant learning and development he has undertaken throughout his career. He is proud to have visited many world-class coaches and programmes around the globe.

Outside of swimming, Humer has become qualified in, taught, and coached multiple other sports, including surf lifesaving, water polo, rugby, and skiing. Humer is also a passionate Liverpool FC supporter.

💥 Selected to fifth Games campaign

Paris 2024 will mark Humer’s fifth Games. Over this time, Humer has coached athletes to Paralympic gold medals and Olympic finals.

Three of Humer’s Swim Dunedin athletes - Erika Fairweather, Kane Follows, and Caitlin Deans - will compete at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the most from any programme in the nation.

🥇 2024 World Aquatics Championships - Erika Fairweather - 400m freestyle

Guided Erika Fairweather to her gold medal-winning performance at the 2024 World Aquatics Championships in the 400m freestyle. Fairweather also won silver in the 200m freestyle and bronze in the 800m freestyle at the championships.

Fairweather has won four medals at the World Aquatics Championships throughout her partnership with Humer, as well as medals at the World Swimming Championships (25m), Swimming World Cup, and World Junior Swimming Championships. Caitlin Deans also won a medal at the Swimming World Cup under Humer’s tutelage.

💥 Three-time Swimming New Zealand Coach of the Year

Swimming New Zealand Coach of the Year award winner in 2019, 2022, and 2023, in addition to Swimming New Zealand International Coach of the Year award winner in 2023.

💥 Guided five athletes to their Aquablack debut

Since returning to Dunedin in 2018, Humer has guided five athletes - Erika Fairweather, Caitlin Deans, Ruby Heath, Luan Grobbelaar, and Kane Follows - to their Aquablack debut.