Kaipara Swimming Ace Eyes Olympics

Kaipara Swimming Ace Eyes Olympics

An Otamatea College senior has a string of prestgious Northland swimming titles - and records - to his name, and has his sights fixed on in the London Olympics in 2012.

Eighteen-year-old Bradley Kemp from Maungaturoto has swept the pool at the Northland Swimming Presentation Carnival with an armful of trophies, making him Northland's fastest man in the water.

His acheivements include the Champion of Champions Trophy for the most points in finals at Northland age groups and long distance champs, the Michael Bond Memorial Cup for the fastest male swimmer in open 100m short course butterfly , the Schon Cup for the

fastest male swimmer in open 200m short coursef freestyle and the Sub 4 Trophy for the fastest male swimmer in open 400m short course freestyle - all swum in Northland during the season

And the day after his presentation ceremony last weekend, Bradley was headed to Hawke's Bay with the Otamatea College team for a week of secondary schools hockey competition.

"Brad plays hockey for the school and he is in the mixed team," said proud mum, and qualified swimming official, Nikola.

"He has played hockey since he was five and has had some time off , one year to play soccer and then last year as he wanted to focus on swimming. He really enjoys hockey and it is great for the fitness."

Bradley swims for the Bream Bay Swimming Club and is coached by Richard Dunkerton.

"He trains in the off season two or three times times a week and when the season is at its peak , for up to six days with some extra morning training as well," said Nikola.

"The club has access to an indoor heated 20m pool during the cooler months and in the summer swimming is outside at Bream Bay College. Bradley sometimes trains at the Otamatea school pool when time does not allow him to travel.

"In addition to his trophy haul last week, Bradley broke a record at the New Zealand Age Group Championships held in Christchurch in March this year. The 100m Freestyle long course was set in February 1981 by Murray Parker of Kaitaia in a time of 55.70. Bradley broke this record in March this years with a time of 55.11

"Bradley would like to either join the army - of the navy when he leaves school. He is a qualified scuba diver already.

"This is his last year in school.He wants to continue training for the New Zealand Opens in Auckland next April and then afterwards, so training isn't affected, I guess he will choose which service he'll go for.

"But whatever career choice, I know he has his eyes firmly on the London Olympics."

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