Swimming: Brodie Mackereth, 9, joins elite pool

Nine-year-old Brodie Mackereth has been invited to be part of the Jetstar Super Swim Squad in Auckland. Photo/John Stone.

Swimming 200m in the open water for the State Bay of Islands Classic in Paihia might not sound like much, but when you're only 9 it's still an achievement.

As a result of his swim, Brodie Mackereth was top in his age group and has been invited to a three-day squad camp in Auckland with New Zealand Olympic swimmers and specialist coaches next year as part of the Jetstar Super Swim Squad. No big deal for this kid.

Young Brodie did not know the invitation would come after the race, but thought it would be a fun experience.

Mum Rochelle said the point of him taking part in the Bay of Islands swim was purely to participate and be active.

"I was really proud of him, because it's not easy to get out in the ocean.

"I think it's a big thing for them to get in and do that, it's quite an achievement - he was quite proud of himself.

"We just wanted them [all of the Mackereth family children] all to be competent swimmers," she explained.

"They've all done swimming lessons and they all still do.

"The bigger kids do it for the fitness, it's more about that sort of aspect rather than them going to the Olympics or anything like that.

"We do a lot of fun runs and the kids do the Ray White Allens Triathlon and the Kumara Triathlon and that sort of thing, it's just another one of those things rather than the specific swimming part of it."

Rochelle said next year Brodie was keen to do the same as his 14-year-old brother, the 1km open water swim.

"I think he just thinks anything his big brother can do he can do. [The Bay of Islands Classic] is a neat event, it's got a really good atmosphere.

"There's something about it being swimming that it's a personal challenge, everyone who competes is achieving."

Rochelle said surf lifesaving, which his older brother was currently involved in, may be an option one day for Brodie.

His invitation to be part of the Jetstar Super Swim Squad was described by organisers as a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Last year, members of the 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 in the new year with local swim icons lining up to give back to the sport that shaped their careers as competitive athletes.