Swimmers take on Outward Bound Camp

Fourteen top age group swimmers from around the country recently spent three days taking on the outdoors for Swimming New Zealand’s annual Outward Bound Camp.

Selection for the camp was based on the top seven female and male swimmers between 16-18 years with the highest FINA point’s performances, in Olympic events only, at the 2016 New Zealand Age Group Championships.

This year’s camp had a focus on personal responsibility through exploring values. The group explored how values guide goals, decisions and actions, working with personal and team values.

The aim being for swimmers to gain a better understanding of the interconnectedness between their actions, the culture in the team and their own and others personal success.

Over the three days of the camp, which ran from the 8^th to 10^th of May, the swimmers took part in team building activities as well as trying their hand at rowing, sailing, rock climbing blindfolded and more.

Other highlights from the three days included swimming in phosphorescence, seeing dolphins, camping out and getting the chance to get to know other swimmers from around the country.

Neptune swimmer Caitlin Deans said “I had an absolutely incredible time and made some unforgettable memories while learning a lot about myself”.

Outward Bound instructor, Jayde Meech, was impressed with the efforts of all the swimmers not only in the physical activities but also when it came to exploring the Swimming New Zealand values and learning more about themselves.

“The course went great; students slept on the cutter, explored Swimming New Zealand values and rocked it on the rock wall.”

Swimmers who attended the camp were:

Ruby Adsett (Napier Aquahawks), Rebecca Cheyne (Pukekohe), Caitlin Deans (Neptune), Devlin Forsythe (Karori Pirates), Emma Godwin (North Shore), Talya Harwood (Tasman), Thomas Heaton (Tasman), Flynn Jones (North Shore), Simone Lusby (United), Tom Moulder (Parnell), Alex Pampalone (Karori Pirates), Callum Prime (North Shore), Nick Pryde (Neptune) and Thomas Raymond (Matamata).

Note: Swimmers who have previously attended an Outward Bound camp are not eligible for selection again.