Swimming: Stars add to Legend of the Lake

NZ Champion, NZ Ocean Swim Series elite swimmer and last year's King of the Bays swim winner, Charlotte Webby.

Swimmers of all ages and abilities will flock to the Blue Lake for the inaugural Rotorua Legend of the Lake Swim this weekend.

Along with Rotorua's Kane Radford and about 1000 other registered swimmers, 27-year-old Charlotte Webby from New Plymouth will be one of the first in line to test out the newly minted course on Sunday.

The top Kiwi swim star, who won last year's NZ Ocean Swim Series, is looking forward to the new addition to the series.

"I've just taken a week out of the water for the first time in a long while, so for this race I am just looking to do my best, have a good time, race hard and see how the new course goes," Webby said.

"My favourite part about the series is catching up with all of the familiar faces that take part in this well-run series. I also really enjoyed the opportunity of being part of the Jetstar Super Swim Squad last year."

The Jetstar Super Swim Squad is made up of the talented youngsters (aged 7-13) who win their age groups in the OceanKids 200m events throughout the season. It involves attendance at an end-of-season training camp in Auckland with top New Zealand swimmers and coaches.

Last year, Webby was one of the four elites who were on board to help the young swimmers, along with Radford, Nathan Capp, Emma Robinson and coach Rick Wells.

"It's an honour to have top swim talent like Charlotte taking part, not only in our series, but in the first-ever Legend of the Lake swim. She will be joined by fellow NZ champion and Olympic hopeful, Kane Radford and I wish both participants the best of luck," said Scott Rice, NZ Ocean Swim Series event organiser.

Webby and Radford will be taking part in the 3.5km "I'm Going Long" distance. Other distances at the event include the 300m "Give it A Go" distance, the 1km "Step It Up" distance and for youngsters under 14 years the 200m "OceanKids" event.

Winners of the 3.5km distance will be presented with locally carved and sourced, wooden trophies, courtesy of Donelley Sawmillers and Abodo.

Remaining events also include fan-favourites; the Sand to Surf (Mt Maunganui) on 12 March and the King of the Bays (Auckland) on 2 April.

- For more information or to register for the series, visit www.oceanswim.co.nz.