Otumoetai swimmers make elite training squad

TOP PERFORMERS: Otumoetai Swimming Club members Te Manewha Rikihana, third from left, and Liam Shanahan, second from right, have again qualified for the Jetstar Super Swim Squad. PHOTO: Supplied

Gaining a place in the annual Jetstar Super Swim Squad is a fine achievement for any young swimmer.

But two Otumoetai Swimming Club members are setting new standards of excellence by qualifying for the elite camp in Auckland for the eighth time between them.

Te Manewha Rikihana, 11, and Liam Shanahan, 11, won their respective age groups at the Capital Classic swim in Wellington on Sunday.

It was the third event in the seven-event New Zealand Ocean Swim Series that began with the Sand to Surf at Mount Maunganui last November. The fastest boy and girl in the three age categories (7-8, 9-10, 11-12) at each of the 200m Banana Boat OceanKids events win a place at the camp.

Te Manewha and Liam's wins in Wellington secured them a place in the squad in May, with top New Zealand swimmers and coaches to put them through their paces.

Last year the impressive coaching line-up included Dean Kent, double Olympic gold medallist Danyon Loader, Rio 2016 Olympic qualifier Emma Robinson and double national record holder Nathan Capp.

This is the fifth time Liam has qualified for the Auckland swim squad after a previous win at the Sand to Surf, three victories at the Bay of Islands Classic and the Capital Classic win last weekend.

Swimming runs in the family. Older brother Daniel has swum all three long distances in this season's NZ Ocean Swim Series to date and is number one on the leaderboard in his under-14 age division.

Liam admitted he did not expect to win this time.

"I thought I would get close though. I was very excited and very happy because winning meant that I could meet my friends and coaches from the previous swim squad camps."

For Te Manewha, the training camp in May will be his third after three consecutive wins at the Capital Classic.

"I was feeling confident and a little nervous before the swim. You never know who you will be up against," he said.

"I was really happy and relieved when I heard my name called out. I am looking forward to meeting new swimming friends at the camp and seeing old ones, plus getting to know the coaches and learning new skills."

Otumoetai swim coach Mike Lees said enjoying what they do was a key factor in their success.

"Both boys are regular and frequent attendees at practice where they continually strive to improve their own standards. Neither are happy to just complete practice at the same standard or level that they were at in previous months.

"Making sure that practice is enjoyable is one of the challenges for the coach, along with ensuring that the practice is constructive and assists with the long term development of each swimmer.

"The time duration of the ocean races are extremely complimentary toward the development of these boys as swimmers."

The next opportunity for young swimmers to win a place in the Jetstar Super Swim Squad is the Legend of the Lake swim in Rotorua on February 18.

Information: www.oceanswim.co.nz