Swimming: Bay youngsters qualify for Jetstar Super Swim squad

FUTURE STARS: The 2014 Jetstar Super Swim squad Kaylah Smith, 10 (left); Mason Bell, 10; Tarquin Magner, 9; Natalie Burke, 9; Sam Kilduff, 8; and Talitha McEwan, 8. Back row: Nathan Capp, Charlotte Webby, Rhys Mainstone, Leah Cutting.PHOTO/SIMON WATTS 270314SP01BOP

More talented young swimmers qualified for the 2014 Jetstar Super Swim squad after the Sand to Surf held at Pilot Bay to bring the Western Bay representation to six.

Talitha McEwan, 8, Mason Bell, 10, Kaylah Smith, 10, were the fastest in their age groups and were thrilled to be selected along with other swimmers from outside the Western Bay of Plenty.

The young swimmers were proudly photographed alongside podium winners in the featured men's and women's Sand to Surf races in Rhys Mainstone, Nathan Capp, Charlotte Webby and Leah Cutting.

Talitha attends Papamoa Primary School where she plays flipper ball and swims, and is also involved in the Tauranga Synchronised Swimming Club based at Baywave.

Mason goes to Pillans Point School and swims at Otumoetai Swimming Club. He is a member of the Mount Maunganui Surf Life Saving Club.

Kaylah is also a member of the Mount Maunganui Surf Life Saving Club. She swims out of the Greerton Swimming club and attends Tauranga Primary School.

They join brothers Liam (8) and Daniel Shanahan (10) who qualified over the summer at the Bay of Islands Classic.

Jetstar Super Swim Squad is a once-in-a-lifetime experience where qualifying members from across the country get to attend a three-day weekend squad camp in Auckland with New Zealand Olympic swimmers and specialist coaching next month.

Last year members of the Jetstar Super Swim Squad attended a camp where swim sessions were run by world champion triathlete Rick Wells with assistance from Olympic swimmers Danyon Loader and Lauren Boyle.

The 2014 coach and swimmer line up will be revealed soon with local swim icons lining up to give back to the sport that shaped their careers as competitive athletes.