Swimming: Young swimmer makes special squad

Legend of the Lake Ocean Kids winners, from left, Gabrielle Doyle, Daniel Tasker, Ella Crowe, Tarquin Magner, Paige Kilduff and Matthew Wagstaff with elite swimmers Kane Radford and Charlotte Webby.

A Mount Maunganui boy is the latest to earn a place in a coveted national junior swim squad.

Matthew Wagstaff, 12, won his age group at last Sunday's Legend of the Lake swim held in Rotorua which was the fifth event in the seven swim New Zealand 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 top name elite swimmers and coaches in April. Throughout the season, each event will give six children the opportunity to earn a place in the 36-member squad.

"I am excited about meeting some famous swimmers and hearing about what they did to reach their goals. I am also hoping to learn from them," Matthew said.

On the day, this first time squad member was cheered on by his mum, Karen, who is also thrilled with Matthew's accomplishment.

"I hope Matthew has fun and comes away inspired to keep on training hard in the pool to achieve his dream. Thank you Jetstar and the NZ Ocean Swim Series for giving us this amazing opportunity," Karen said.

Scott Rice, New Zealand Ocean Swim Series event director says Jetstar should be applauded for their ongoing encouragement of New Zealand's budding swim talent. "This will be the fourth year that the Jetstar Super Swim Squad has benefited families and communities throughout New Zealand. Feedback from elite swimmers, parents and the youngsters who have taken part has been overwhelmingly positive."

Grant Kerr, head of Jetstar New Zealand, says the Jetstar Super Swim Squad is all about finding New Zealand's future swim stars and nurturing their talent and passion through teaching valuable swimming skills and creating fantastic memories. "Congratulations to the Legend of the Lake OceanKids winners. We look forward to welcoming you to our camp in April."

Other distances in the Legend of the Lake included the 300m 'Give it a Go', 1000m 'Step it up' event and the 3.5km 'I'm Going Long' distance.

The next opportunity for young swimmers to win a position in the squad will be at the Sand to Surf swim at Mount Maunganui on March 12.

For more information or to register for the 200m OceanKids event or other distances visit www.oceanswim.co.nz