By Anna Bowden
When Moss Burmester was nine, he dreamed of a gold medal. Now he's got it.
Today, nine-year-old Jack Boyle also dreams of Commonwealth gold - and beams at the thought of following in his hero's footsteps.
The Bay of Plenty Times visited the Otumoetai Action Aquatic Centre during Saturday's club
day where swimming star Moss Burmester once trained as a youngster.
With Burmester's signature scrawled across his over-sized swim jacket and goggle-marks still pink on his face, Jack is a mark of success so far.
This year he took two gold and four bronze medals at the Bay of Plenty Swimming Championships - one of his golds in the butterfly. The Pillans Point School student trains three times a week at the Otumoetai Action Aquatic centre.
Jack loves to swim - and loves to win.
He also loves to see Burmester win - so when he was allowed to stay up late to watch him race on Thursday night there was much yelling and screaming in his household. His father, Bruce, said Jack was enthusiastic and committed to his training sessions.
"But because it is such a life commitment it is really down to the kids - if they have the passion they can do it."
Fellow swimmers Taylor Armstrong, 12, and Tiffany Ward, 14, were also buzzing at the Otumoetai boy's big win.
"He's a really good role model for young swimmers ... my goal is gold at the Olympics," Tiffany said.
The club's past-president Garth Robertson said Burmester had given inspiration to young members of the club and showed the level of commitment required to get to the top.
"He's the sort of swimmer who will do whatever it takes, most people wouldn't even do it for a job let alone for a sport. I don't think you could find anyone quite as focused as him."
