Versatile Lloyd smashes club records
Bronson Lloyd has no plans to specialise in one swimming discipline just yet – he’s having too much fun doing them all.
The Tawa 13-year-old was a star at the recent long-course national age-group swimming championships, winning gold in the 400m and 1500m freestyle events, silver in the 200m individual medley and bronze in the 200m backstroke and 400m individual medley.
Lloyd had seven other top 10 placings across a number of disciplines – backstroke, freestyle, butterfly and breaststroke – and in the process broke six Porirua City Aquatics Club records.
His individual medley times smashed club records that had stood for more than 20 years.
‘‘I was really happy with my times – breaking personal bests was important and I did that in a few races,’’ he said. ‘‘My results were as good as I could’ve hoped for and I like swimming under that pressure.’’
Lloyd, who has been swimming competitively for only four years, has spent three of those with Porirua City Aquatics and experienced coach Nevill Sutton.
He said Sutton treats each swimmer differently and training and competing with him at his side has helped him go to the next level. ‘‘Nevill expects you to work hard, but he’s fair and a really great coach.’’
Lloyd is making the biggest improvements in individual medley, his favourite discipline, but he refuses to restrict himself to getting better at one stroke more than another right now.
Lloyd will now turn his attention to the short course season, where he will be even more focused on his turns in the water and sprint times.
He has one eye on the New Zealand short course champs in Auckland in October and hoped to add to the medal collection that almost fills a room in his home.
Most of Lloyd’s spare time is poured into the sport these days. The early morning starts and after-school trainings have become second nature to him and he said he was fitting that easily around demands at Tawa College.
‘‘I’d always been interested in swimming and loved coming to the pool. I enjoy pushing myself and although sometimes it’s hard, the pure fun of being in the water and the challenge to reach my goals keeps me going.’’
His aim is to represent his country in the pool, competing overseas.