Primary splash and dash

High stroke rates and breath-taking racing was the order of the day for the region's schools as swimmers competed in the Western Bay of Plenty Swimming Championships today.

This year, 156 swimmers made a splash in the annual years five and six event held at Greerton Aquatic Centre, following on from yesterday's years seven and eight version.


Swimmers from the Te Puke cluster: Atutahi Downes, Sascha Moke and Nikau Wihapo Priest.

Sport Bay of Plenty's event coordinator Hayley Kerrison is rapt with the high number of swimmers, representing 32 schools from across the Western Bay in 25 and 50-metre races.

Along with the sprint-based distances, the end of the day saw a cluster of relays – always a highly anticipated part of the championship.

The relay format saw two swimmers apiece from the years five and six grades combine in both the boys' and girls' relays and then the same in the mixed relays.

Hayley says while there aren't any school bragging rights involved, it is very much about the success of the swimmers on the day.

'There are some really talented kids who are part of swimming clubs, but there are also some that aren't with swimming clubs who are really talented sporting wise,” she says.

Along with the usual swimming strongholds of St Marys Catholic School and Bethlehem College, taking part in the championships was one Tauranga school dipping their toes back in the swimming arena.

'For Merivale, I think this is the first time we have had some one from there in a long time,” says Hayley. 'They had just the one boy swimming but it's great to see them coming through.”

Other schools staking part included Pongakawa School, Greenpark School and Pillans Point School.


Hayley Kerrison (Sport BOP) prepares competitors for the next race.

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