Swimming: Win earns camp call-up

Te Manewha Rikihana has qualified for the Jetstar Super Swim squad. Photo / Mark Tantrum

A Tauranga schoolboy has earned a place in a national junior swim squad.

Te Manewha Rikihana, 8, won his age group at Sunday's State Capital Classic swim in Wellington. It was the third event of six in the State NZ Ocean Swim Series.

His win in the 200m OceanKids event has secured him a place in the Jetstar Super Swim squad, which means he will travel to Auckland with a caregiver for a weekend camp with some elite swimmers and coaches in late April.

Te Manewha is a member of the Otumoetai Swimming Club and Omanu Surf Club.

He set his sights on gaining a place in the squad after seeing a TV documentary on the ocean swim series.

"I felt relieved and good to get over the finish line. I had been training really hard," he said.

Te Manewha's training regime consists of five sessions each week, three in the pool and two in the ocean. His whanau were at the finish to cheer him on and his aunt also took part over the event's 1km distance.

His father Corey Rikihana was delighted but not surprised that his son achieved his goal of a place in the squad.

"Where he trains at the moment, the kids are all older, so it will be great for him to go to the Jetstar training camp with kids his own age, make new friends and set new goals. We are really looking forward to it."

Rikihana was also keen to acknowledge the local support that Te Manewha has received, particularly from Teamline, who helped out with training gear.

"Because all the kids' age groups finished together, we didn't know where he had placed initially but we knew he had put in an awesome effort," he said.

Ocean Swim Series director Scott Rice said the Super Swim squad was a fantastic initiative designed to nurture young swimming talent from across New Zealand.

"I am looking forward to welcoming Te Manewha and his dad to the camp. He is a great role model for other youngsters and is proof of the benefits of setting goals and working hard to achieve them."