On Saturday 9 July, Kou Kitahara and Nick Pryde attended the South Island Secondary Schools Swimming Championships held at Splash Palace, Invercargill. 

The meet was over the one full day, and had all regular races, ranging from 50 metres to 400 metres in each stroke.  

The small OB's team had an overall superb performance, coming home with a total of 4 gold, 5 silver, and 3 bronze. Gaining top 3 places in all races that were entered. The two boys were both competing in the 15 years and over age group, therefore competing against each other.

Kou Kitahara, being one of the youngest in this age group, won 3 silver and 3 bronze. He gained the silver in the 200m Individual Medley, 200m Breaststroke, and the 50m Breaststroke. He obtained the bronze in the 200m Freestyle, 100m Breaststroke, and the 400m Individual Medley.

Nick Pryde, one of the older boys in this category, ended up winning 5 gold and 2 silver. He was awarded the gold in the 200m Backstroke, 400m Individual Medley, the 200m Butterfly, and 200m Individual Medley. Nick gained the silver in his 400m Freestyle and 100m Butterfly.