Sarya Lower has had a natural ability in the water since she first tried it out when she was 6 weeks old.
Now the 13-year-old Wanganui Swim Club member is breaking records, with her focus on becoming a top New Zealand swimmer.
Last month Lower broke the Wanganui age-group 100mfreestyle record with a time of 1.01.57 at the Greerton Winter Champs in Mt Maunganui.
She recently broke other Wanganui age-group records in butterfly, freestyle and medley events at the Central Region Representative Meet in Palmerston North.
The next step to fulfilling her dreams is making it into the New Zealand high-performance swimming team and she is "definitely on the right track", coach Andy McLay says.
"I think it's definitely something that's a viable goal for her," said McLay. "She's got the natural talent to do whatever she wants."
Lower said she hoped to make it to the next Commonwealth Games and her favourite part about swimming was being with friends and going away on trips.
Sarya Lower is breaking records in the pool but needs sponsorship to continue her swimming career. Photo/Bevan Conley
"I've had my ups and downs, but my friends help and I love having people supporting me," said Lower.
Mum Anita Lower said her daughter had the potential to go all the way and they were looking for sponsorship from Wanganui businesses to help her achieve that.
Her daughter needed to keep taking part in out-of-town meets to experience a better standard of competition.
McLay said the main cost involved was travelling away to competitions, and a week-long trip could cost more than $500.
"It's not the cheapest sport to be in so any support for our young athletes is really good, and the more support that they can have, the more opportunity they have to carry on and do well," said McLay.
Lower will be representing Wanganui this weekend at the Wellington Swimming Championships and the New Zealand Short Course nationals in September.
Sarya Lower Photo/Bevan Conley
Jessica Tyson is an AUT journalism student on work experience at the Chronicle
