Squad spots for six

MAKING A SPLASH: The first six swimmers chosen to be part of the Jetstar Super Swim Squad - as chosen from the Bay of Islands Classic. See bottom of article for names. PICTURE/DARREN MARKIN

Six youngsters from around the North Island have secured places in a coveted national swim squad after taking part in the popular annual ocean swimming event in Paihia on Saturday.

Hannah Milne (Onehunga), Max Drummond (Stokes Valley), Natalie Burke (Orewa), Liam Shanahan (Bethlehem), Talitha McEwan (Tauranga) and Sam Kilduff (Avalon) all booked their spot in the Jetstar Super Swim Squad by winning their respective age groups in the 200m OceanKids event.

Attendance in the squad will involve travelling 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.

New Zealand Ocean Swim Series event director Scott Rice said the 200m OceanKids event helped to identify and develop the nation's budding swimming talent.

"The Jetstar Super Swim Squad has benefited families and communities throughout New Zealand for the past three years. Feedback from elite swimmers, parents and the youngsters who have taken part has been overwhelmingly positive."

Despite the wet weather, nearly 800 participants turned out to take the plunge in the Bay of Islands Classic, the opening leg (of seven in all) in the 2015/16 New Zealand Ocean Swim Series which runs from November to April.

The next event is the Harbour Crossing on December 12 at the Auckland Viaduct.

For more information or to register for the 200m OceanKids event or other distances in the popular series, visit the event website.

Names to accompany image: From left, Hannah Milne, Max Drummond, Natalie Burke, Liam Shanahan, Talitha McEwan and Sam Kilduff. The six are shown here posing with elite swimmers Michael Sheil, Penny Hayes and Phillip Ryan.