Swimming: Otumoetai Club deserves place in the fast lane

The Otumoetai Swimming Club took another step forward with a strong performance at the State 2014 NZ Junior Championships. Photo/George Novak

Personal bests, Bay of Plenty records and national rankings have tumbled to the kicking feet of the Otumoetai Swimming Club at the State 2014 NZ Junior Championships.

The club, which had 13 swimmers qualify but only 11 compete, claimed a host of top 10 finishes en route to finishing a creditable 17th out of 71 New Zealand clubs.

Isabella Akroyd was the club's undisputed star, with the powerful 10-year-old winning a gold, silver and two bronzes to go with three other top 10 placings across a wide range of disciplines.

Caelen Potts and Tristan Eiselen brought home bronze in the 50m backstroke and 100m fly respectively, with Eiselen and Akroyd booking their tickets for the New Zealand Junior Development Swim Camp courtesy of top three finishes in either a 100m or 200m event.

Encouraging swims by relative newcomers Joseph Mortimer and Tommy Mahon shows the tactics employed by coach Stefan Swanepoel over the past five years are paying off.

"A permanent pathway with structures around it allows the kids to grow," Swanepoel said during a short break from training on Monday.

"They've really accepted it and I believe that is one of our stepping stones to success.

"Having as many swimmers as we did was testament to their hard work, and having as many top 10 finishes and medallists - you can't ask for anymore than that."

The energetic coach paid tribute to both the stature and work ethic of his young national champion.

"She [Akroyd] is a powerhouse; an incredibly strong girl.

"She works really hard, which is not the easiest thing for an 11-year-old kid to do.

"To commit as much as she does is just fantastic. She's exceptionally talented, not just in swimming but in surf lifesaving as well."

The junior champs is merely one part of a busy season for a club that caters for any swimmer of any ability.

At the top end the likes of Ruby Matthews, Joshua Picketts and Tem Strickland are pushing hard, while swimmers of every ability chip away at personal goals in adjacent lanes.

"It's a family-orientated, community-focused club. Everyone is welcome; we will find a spot for anyone.

"I think that's the thing that's kept us healthy - the kids are happy."