Six young swimmers from Alexandra Swimming Club (ASC) represented the district at recent national swimming competitions in the Hawke’s Bay.

Breast stroke specialist Caleb Ludlow and backstroke specialist Liam Rees raced in the New Zealand Open Championships, swimming with New Zealand’s elite swimmers at the Hawke’s Bay Regional Aquatic Centre, from April 9 to 13.

Following that meet, four other ASC swimmers joined them for the New Zealand National Age Groups Swimming Championships, known as NAGS, from April 15 to 19, at the same venue.

Liam, Ashleigh and Caleb. PHOTO: Supplied 

ASC head coach Ashleigh Rankin said the trip away was good in general with swimmers making a few personal bests and the team producing strong swim times in the relay.

“I think we made a final every night, except for one, across both the competitions.”

She said for a relatively small club with much fewer resources than the large city clubs, ASC should be proud.

She was away with young son Luca (dressed in a ‘mini coach’ uniform) for two weeks, supporting swimmers at the meets.

“It was a long time away from home and a bit exhausting. Luca was quite the flirt and got a lot of attention too.

“In some races, some swimmers felt really good, but times didn’t quite match how they felt.”

Both Liam and Caleb moved up an age grade to the 17 and 18 year olds at NAGS, which Ashleigh said meant “more tough competition”.

She said one of the highlights was seeing the small team support each other if results weren’t as they hoped, then have a good laugh and move on to focus on future races.

Liam’s mother Bronwyn Rees was away for the duration and assisted Swimming New Zealand as an inspector of turns. PHOTO: Supplied

Ashleigh thanked the supporters from Central for their messages.

“A group of Cromwell girls sent a snapchat to me, of them all together having a big sleepover to support the Alex club swimmers and watch the livestream. That was so cool.”

Young swimmers from Cromwell unite to watch the livestream of the swimming. PHOTO: Supplied 

Ashleigh, who coaches Cromwell Swimming Club swimmers too, said it was nice to show the older more experienced swimmers how they were inspiring the next generation to make it to national level.

“Near the end of our trip, there was a feeling of [our group] being ready to go back to short course swimming, where we really shine.”

For more about ASC see their club listing.

Listen to a previous episode of The Outlet where Ashleigh talks about her coaching journey so far.