Blackheath swimmer Haig Buckingham is hoping to pull off some speedy swimming this week.
The Katoomba RSL Swimming Club member will compete in four events in the Primary Schools Sports Association National Swimming Championships in Darwin from Thursday.
The 12-year-old will contest the 50m breaststroke, 100m breaststroke, and the breaststroke leg of the 200m medley relay and 200m freestyle relay for NSW.
Haig is trained by the club’s head coach Anne Yabsley-Turner, and Jill Arnold.
He’s in the pool for five sessions a week, and began swimming competitively four years ago.
“I really enjoy it,” he said.
“I like the nerves and how hard it is. I like going through the toughness of the race.”
Always wanting to better his time, Haig hopes to break 35 seconds in the 50m breaststroke and 1:17 in the 100m breaststroke, which he currently swims in 1:19. He also plans to improve his butterfly technique.
A Blackheath Public School student, the school recently held a mufti day for Haig, raising $650 to help cover the cost of competing in the nationals.
Katoomba RSL Swimming Club are holding an open night on Thursday, September 22 from 6-8pm at Katoomba Sports and Aquatic Centre. This will include the opportunity to swim in some events, as well as a barbecue and novelty races. Young swimmers are welcome.
