Swim Rotorua sharpen skills at short course champs

The Bay of Plenty Short Course Championships attracted more than 400 swimmers from all corners of the Bay of Plenty, and from all over the North Island. Photo / Getty Images

Swim Rotorua enjoyed another competitive outing at the popular Bay of Plenty Short Course Championships.

The event attracted more than 400 swimmers from all corners of the Bay of Plenty, and from all over the North Island.

Kaia Joyce, 10, was in great form to remain unbeaten in her age group. Showing great versatility and speed, she notched up an amazing 12 gold medals. Her best effort came in the 100m backstroke where she demolished her best time by more than six seconds to set a time of 1m 21.28s.

Another rising star is Ariel Muchirahondo who won one gold and five silver medals. His gold came in the 50m breaststroke with a time of 46.99s. Ariel's efforts in the 100m medley (1m 25.52s), 50m backstroke (37.87s) and 200m medley (3m 0.69s) were all new Bay of Plenty 9-year-old records.

Josh Balmer continues to sharpen his race skills in several events. He picked up a brace of silvers in the boys 13-14 years 50m and 200m freestyle with best times of 26.43s and 2m 2.18s respectively. In the 100m freestyle it was a very tight finish with Josh just doing enough to take home the bronze medal. In the open 1500m freestyle Josh was the fastest 14-year-old, breaking the 17-minute mark for the first time with an excellent effort of 16m 57.38s.

Paddy Baylis wrapped up his Junior Pan Pacs preparations by winning two bronzes. They came in the 800m freestyle with a best time of 8m 17.83s, and in the 50m backstroke where his time of 28.12s was a new Bay of Plenty 18-year-old record.

Annelyse Cowie produced the goods in her finals. She won three bronzes, in the girls' 13-14 years 200m medley, and the 100m and 200m breaststroke. Almost matching that haul was 11-year-old Ngamihi Simpson who won medals in the 100m and 200m breaststroke.

Hone Curtis showed that he is another rising star with a cracking time of 1m 55.34s to take the bronze medal in the boys' 10 years and younger 100m breaststroke. Miki Joyce reinforced the Swim Rotorua breaststroke strength in depth to grab the bronze medal in the boys' 11-12 years 50m race.

Sam Trass, 12, stormed home in the gruelling 200m butterfly to win the silver medal with a time of 2m 47.92s.

Also snaring a medal was 10-year-old Ava Tremain who took bronze in the 100m freestyle.

Head coach Alastair Johnson said: "It has been a good hit-out for our team. Despite the heavy training load and lots of tough racing, it has been pleasing to see the swimmers crunch out some encouraging performances. It has also been great to see a few more younger swimmers coming through and show us what they can do."