Swimming: Set to battle the elements

Jesse Reynolds. Photo / Supplied

This weekend's Epic Swim and New Zealand Open Water Championships in Taupo is not just about elite swimmers vying for a place in the Olympic team.

Among the highest number of recreational swimmers registered for the event (450) will be an inspirational group of youngsters from South Auckland.

The self-titled Rewa Rebels are one of the strongest club contingents with an impressive 15 swimmers aged 7 to 14.

They are all members of the Manurewa Swimming Club, live in South Auckland and attend low-decile schools.

Accompanying the Rewa Rebels to Taupo are coach Jane Logan and four parent volunteers. None of them have swum in cold or open water before and they can't afford wetsuits.

Logan said: "I'm rapt to see these kids respond to the challenge of this event. It has encouraged them to set goals, which will help them in other areas of their lives."

A charitable grant has enabled them to travel to the event, but finances have not stretched as far as team wetsuits.

The team will smother themselves in a mixture of beeswax, shea butter, avocado oil, rosemary and a few other ingredients to help protect them from the cold water.

"Jane and her Rewa Rebels are inspirational. They're winners before they even get into the water," says Kevin Hughes, general manager, State Personal Insurance.

Another winner before he has got into the water is 15-year-old Jesse Reynolds from Waikato.

He is as competitive as any sporting teenager, especially when it comes to swimming, which is his passion.

Jesse is a remarkable young man. He was born with a rare condition, proximal femoral focal deficiency (a malformed hip socket and no thigh bone), and he swims with only one leg. But his positive outlook has had him out of bed at 5.30am for training, where he completes up to 16 hours of swim training at six to seven sessions a week.

It will all be worth it today when he lines up in his first competitive open-water swim, joining an estimated 400 other swimmers at Lake Taupo in the 5km State Epic Swim.

Says proud mum Tracey Reynolds: "Nothing holds Jesse back. He just wants to go out there and compete on an equal footing. He prefers the longer distances, as these require more stamina and determination rather than speed. In longer-distance swims such as this 5km one, Jesse aims to give the able-bodied swimmers a run for their money."

Jesse is also aiming to represent New Zealand at the 2012 or 2016 Paralympics. Having already gained a bronze at the 2009 Melbourne AYPG games and seven golds in the recent Paralympic National Champs in Hamilton, this Hamilton Boys' High School student is on target to realise that goal.

"Jesse represents the spirit of the State Epic Swim," says Hughes. "His determination to overcome the odds is inspirational. I can't wait to cheer him on at the event."