Jetstar Camp Connects Young Kiwi Swim Stars with their Heroes

Thirty budding young Kiwi swim stars will come together in Auckland later this month for a three day training camp where they will be mentored by some of the best elite swimmers and coaches in the business.

Each of the young swimmers gained entry into the coveted Jetstar Super Swim Squad Camp by winning their age group at one of five OceanKids 200m events at the popular State New Zealand Ocean Swim Series.

There are 30 places on offer each season for 6 – 10 year olds (age at time of event), with winners and a caregiver flown to Auckland for the training camp which will take place from 25th- 27th April.

This will be the third season that the Jetstar Super Swim Squad has been involved in backing New Zealand’s young swimming talent. The aim of the camp is to connect children with their swimming heroes and provide expert tuition to inspire them to be their best. It also provides the elite swimmers an opportunity to give something back to their sport by working with the children to enhance their skills and confidence in both a pool and ocean setting.

Confirmed to attend is an impressive lineup of elite swimmers, including Kane Radford, Emma Robinson, Charlotte Webby and Nathan Capp. Also on hand at the camp will be Rick Wells who is one of New Zealand’s most respected swim coaches and has been involved in the squad and the camp since its inception three years ago.

Scott Rice, State New Zealand Ocean Swim Series Event Organiser, says:
“We’re really grateful to Jetstar for making this camp possible. It’s a fantastic initiative designed to nurture young swimming talent from across New Zealand. As an ex representative swimmer I know from personal experience how important those early training years are for developing not just skills, but self confidence and that’s what this camp is all about for Kiwi youngsters.”

Grant Kerr, Head of Jetstar New Zealand, says:
“We look forward to welcoming the 2015 Jetstar Super Swim Squad members to the camp and watching them further develop their swimming skills whilst creating fantastic memories. We’re very proud to be backing New Zealand’s future swim stars for the third year.”

Elite swimmer Kane Radford says:
“I am really looking forward to meeting these young stars at the Jetstar Camp. Initiatives like this one are crucial if we are serious about developing our next generation of swimming talent.”

For more about the Jetstar Super Swim Squad, visit www.jetstar.com/nz/en/state-oceankids

Photo caption: Enthusiastic Jetstar Super Swim Squad members from last year’s camp with elite swimmers; Moss Burmester, Melissa Ingram and coach Rick Wells.

Background on the elite swimmers attending the Jetstar Super Swim Squad Camp

• Kane Radford, who is based in Australia, is New Zealand’s #1 Open Water Swimmer and member of the New Zealand team for the 2015 FINA World Championships in Kazan, Russia.
• Emma Robinson from Wellington was a New Zealand Commonwealth Games Representative in 2014 for the 800 and 1500m Freestyle. She also won the female division of the State Capital Classic which was event three of the Series.
• Charlotte Webby from New Plymouth is the current leading female in the State New Zealand Ocean Swim Series (as of March 2015). She is also a member of the New Zealand team for the 2015 FINA World Championships in open water swimming.
• Auckland-based Nathan Capp won the men’s division of the State Capital Classic, event three of the Series and is the 1500m NZ Record Holder.
• Rick Wells currently runs a successful swimming school in Auckland. He has represented New Zealand in both swimming and triathlon. He was a national swimming champion, a title holder in the 50m, 100m and 200m freestyle and a Commonwealth Games Gold medallist for triathlon.