EUROPE BOUND
TGSC athlete books her ticket to open water titles
SWIMMING: Naia Anderson has made open water swimming her own in recent years, and now it has scored her an international berth.
The Toowoomba Grammar
Swimming Club member is heading to Spain in May to compete in the 7.5km open water event at the European Championships.
It comes on the back of placings in the New Zealand and Australian Open Water Championships last month, earning her selection to represent New Zealand in Europe.
“I’m beyond excited. It’s a goal that I’ve wanted to achieve for a while,” Anderson said.
“I was a bit nervous coming into the events because I knew what I had to do and you never know what other people are going to do on the day or what conditions were like.
“I was excited after finishing second in New Zealand, but again nervous because I knew I’d have to swim in Adelaide the week after.”
While Anderson feels more comfortable in the open ocean than a swimming pool, the inland nature of Toowoomba means she has had to revert to different training methods. “Usually we’ll do 5-8 kms in a training session in order to
get that distance in so I can know what it feels like.
“It’s a big difference between the two, especially in the ocean where there are no lanes and more people bunched up, so you have to be more aware of your surroundings.
“At the start I didn’t think I’d be swimming 7.5km. I tried it last year and I’m more of a distance person so I really enjoyed that and tried to make the team.”
The 17-year-old is a dual citizen of Australia and New Zealand, however she is proud to represent the latter and making the most of her opportunities.
“My mum is from New Zealand. I was born in Australia but lived in New Zealand for a year or so,” she said.
“I do have that dual citizenship but decided to swim for New Zealand just because I had more opportunities.
“I only just changed over to New Zealand. I don’t mind it because I know that I can get good coaching here and there, so it’s not a big difference.”