Something was certainly in the water at Hauraki Plains College on February 24-25.
That’s when 18 records were broken at the school’s Splash Days swimming sports event, including nine records broken by Kingston Welsh (read more, P24).
Another record holder was Kian Rangihika, 14, who was part of the Tikapa Junior Boys Relay Team in the 4 x 1 length freestyle relay.
The group of athletes broke the previous 2025 1.17.45 record with a time of 1.16.27.
“We all tried our best and were stoked that we broke the record,” he said. His focus was to swim hard and fast and “try to beat everyone”.
Outside of swimming, the young athlete said he also enjoyed surfing and running for fitness.
It was his parents who inspired him to be the best person he could be because “they always encourage me and take me to training,” at the Thames Swimming Club, he said.
Meanwhile, fellow club member and record breaker Jasmine Welsh said her inspiration came from her parents and coach because they supported her “even on bad days”.
The 15-year-old swimmer broke her swim coach and ex Hauraki Plains College student Sophie Perry’s record of 16.81 from 2020 for the intermediate girls one length freestyle race with a time of 16.68.
It was her first achievement and she worked toward it every morning and afternoon as she trained at the Thames Swimming Pool, she said.
“I was so close, like 0.5 from breaking the 100 medley and 0.6 off the 50 freestyle. So I have my goals set for next year.”
A technique she focussed on was “getting my kick to a good speed”, and her hope was to get to Worlds in three years, she said.
Fellow record breaker Riley Green, who had goals to break the breaststroke records, said she aspired to go to national swim competitions and to “chase down” personal bests and medals.
The 15-year-old swimmer broke her own one lap record of 21.65 from 2025 with a new time of 20.72 and the two lap record of 49.02 with 47.03.
She was proud to break ex Olympic swimmer Helena Gasson’s 2009 record of 1.16.97 for the 100 breaststroke with a time of 1.15.81.
“This achievement means a lot to me because it showed that I can do it,” the swimmer told The Profile.
“Breaking the three lap breaststroke record that was held by ex Olympic swimmer Helena Gasson proved to me that if I set my mind to something I want to achieve I can do it.”
She started to swim as a four-year-old, but kicked into competitive swimming at age 12, she said.
“The last year and a half is when I’ve enjoyed it the most since joining Pukekohe Swimming Club.
“I think it’s because of the friends I’ve made and my coaches who push me to do my best.”
Riley was inspired by a friend with the same name.
“I think a lot of people look at older swimmer athletes for inspiration, but for me it’s my friend [World Para Swimming Champion] Rylee Sayer,” she said.
“She always has something kind or positive to say and shows a lot of dedication and motivation to do well. That’s something I really look up to.”
Riley’s dream for the future was to study medicine and move to Australia.
Riley’s piece of encouragement for fellow students was to “know that hard work always beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard”.
By DAVIDDA HIKATANGATA
