Congratulations to Holly M Smith who won the NZ Secondary Schools Open Water Championship 500m for 14-15 years female category.

Holly was also 5th in the 2.8 km event for the same age group. This was held at Mount Maunganui on 2 April with 900 competitors in a range of age groups, a fantastic atmosphere and great weather.

This was the last event of the summer series and a great result for Holly. She had also won the South Island 14-15 years and Open event; her sister Jessie won the 13 years race at the same event. Keira MacCalman has also attended a number of the Ocean Swim events this year.

In ocean swimming competitors have to consider weather conditions, tides, swim direction and generally adapting to swimming in amongst hundreds of mixed aged swimmers.

Well done to all three swimmers, but especially Holly with her National title.