Learning to swim sees young Greendale Swim Club members thrive

Inspired by a recent Paralympic development camp in Auckland, 14 year old Kate McKelvie has big swimming plans in her future.

The Greendale swimmer first learnt to swim with the Napier Aquatic Swim Centre Swim School and, taking a shine to the sport, began her journey towards competitive swimming.

McKelvie, who was born with spina bifida, now trains for an average of 10 hours a week with her coach, Noel Hardgrave-Booth and “has improved out of sight – hugely – over the last 12 months. Kate’s next step is to train at a more intensive level,” says Hardgrave-Booth.

Fast approaching is a trip to Australia in February 2015 for McKelvie’s international classification and competing in the New South Wales Open in Sydney.

“I want to make the 2020 Paralympics,” says McKelvie. When asked what it will take to get there, she smiles wryly and answers, “Lots of training.”

She will also compete at the New Zealand Opens in 2015 as she holds three qualifying times in the 50m and 100m freestyle and 100m backstroke.

Looking ahead to 2016 and 2017 her goals include competing at the All England Championships, World Championships and the Para Pan Pacs.

Another young swimmer, Toby Condin, wasn’t very confident around water when he began learning to swim at the Greendale Swim Club in February this year but has already come a long way since then.

At the age of just two, Condin was diagnosed with Leukemia and received various Chemotherapy treatments for the following three years.

The treatments meant he was unable to swim due to the risk of infection and side effects affected his walking and balance.

Now six years old, Condin, under the guidance of his swim teacher Olivia Druzianic, has more confidence around water, is stronger in his legs and has better breathing control with his asthma.

His parents are passionate about learning to swim and mum Jody Condin said “he didn’t even like water on his face in the bath or shower” before he began learning to swim earlier this year.

“His coach Olivia is so lovely and very patient with him. He has come such a long way and we are so proud of him.”

Caption: Toby Condin with Olivia Druzianic, Credit Michelle Fey.