No rest for district’s competitive swimmers

SECOND TIME AROUND: Chris Niven with the Beth Meade Memorial Cup he received as Comet Swimming Club swimmer of the year. He also won the cup last year. Picture by Liam Clayton

THE onset of winter does not mean inactivity for the district’s competitive swimmers.

Many, such as Comet club swimmer of the year Chris Niven, will continue training twice a day. Scores of others will train daily or several times a week in the pursuit of more stamina, better technique, more speed.

And the coaches will be there, too . . . encouraging, cajoling, inspiring.

Niven had another stellar year for Comet. He won the Beth Meade Memorial Cup for swimmer of the year, an award he also received last year.

Niven set three club records in one race, the 1500 metres at the New Zealand Age-group Championships. On his way to sixth place, he set club records for the 400m, 800m and 1500m.

In the 200m butterfly, he bettered his previous personal best by three seconds and set a club record to qualify for the final.

Among Niven’s other awards at the club prize-giving were those for most club records and most dedicated.