Swimming: Young duo in elite squad

TOP PERFORMERS: Jetstar Super Swim squad members Hannah Milne (left), Max Drummond, Natalie Burke, Liam Shanahan, Talitha McEwan and Sam Kilduff with elite swimmers Michael Sheil, Penny Hayes and Phillip Ryan. PHOTO/DARREN MARKIN

Two young Bay of Plenty swimmers have earned places in a coveted national junior swim squad.

Liam Shanahan, 10, from Bethlehem and Talitha McEwan, 9, from Papamoa won their age groups at last Saturday's Bay of Islands Classic swim, held in Paihia. It was the first event in the seven-swim New Zealand Ocean Swim Series.

Their wins in the 200m OceanKids event have secured the two talented swimmers a place each in the Jetstar Super Swim squad. They will travel to Auckland with a caregiver for a weekend camp with some top-name elite swimmers and coaches in April. Throughout the season each event will give six children the opportunity to earn a place in the 36-member squad.

Liam Shanahan is no stranger to the excitement of the Jetstar Super Swim Squad - this will be his fourth year attending the camp.

"One of the best things about the camp is spending time with the other Jetstar kids from all over New Zealand, the elite swimmers and coaches. The camp is really fun and each time I have been I learnt loads of different things, which I have been able to use in my ocean and pool swimming," Liam said.

Talitha McEwan has also attended a Jetstar Super Swim Squad camp and the experience helped spark the beginning of her swimming journey.

"I was lucky enough to win a spot in the squad two years ago when Moss Burmester and Melissa Ingram were the elite swimmers with coach, Rick Wells," Talitha said. "I enjoyed the camp so much. Before that I wasn't even in a swimming club. The weekend was so much fun, I learnt a lot and the tips they shared with us were really great."

The New Zealand Ocean Swim Series runs from November 2015 to April 2016. For more information or to register for the 200m OceanKids event or other distances, visit www.oceanswim.co.nz.