Most people would get tired after swimming just one lap of a public pool, that’s what makes these three young male swimmers so extraordinary.
Matt Robinson, 16, Nathan Robinson, 13, and Jarred Wright, 13, are a local teenage trio of open water long distance swimmers. Swimming laps of their heated training facility at Ripples is a piece of cake for these high school boys because these three are used competing in cold rivers and lakes – where sea life often brushes passed – over distances as far as five kilometres.
Each of the boys train up to 10 times per week both in the morning and afternoon to keep fitness and endurance levels high. All three recently placed very well at a State open water swimming event at the Sydney International Regatta Centre.
The oldest of the trio, 16-year-old Matt, finished second in his age group, swimming the five kilometre course in a time of 58 minutes and three seconds. Matt said he preferred long distance open water swimming over traditional lap swimming.
“I did my first open water race when I was 13 and loved it,” he said.
“I enjoy this form of swimming because I’m not too good at sprinting and I just love endurance swimming.”
His younger brother Nathan is also one of the best swimmers in NSW in his age group, in fact, he is the best. Nathan recently placed first in his age group over five kilometres at the State titles.
“I just love distance swimming, I train nine times a week,” Nathan said.
Chasing Nathan’s tail is fellow 13-year-old, Jarred, who’s determined to one day beat his friend at an event. Jarred recently finished third at the State titles and hopes to have a bright future in the sport.
“I prefer open water swimming because I don’t like turns and sprinting in a normal pool. My mission is to first beat Nathan at State, then place on the podium at Nationals before hopefully getting to the Olympics,” Jarred said.
Next stop for the trio is the open water swimming Nationals in Newcastle this February.
