The 2024 long-course season kicked off in style on Sunday, 27 October, with the Perpetual Guardian Kiwi Challenge. Athletes from across Otago and neighbouring regions dived into the action, gaining valuable race experience and building their confidence for the season ahead. The competition saw not only personal bests smashed, but also the setting of one new Otago record and ten New Zealand Para records, marking a day of outstanding performances.

Congratulations to everyone who participated! We hope you had fun and look forward to seeing you poolside again soon.

Neo Salomonsson (Kiwi) continued his stellar form by breaking his own 15-year-old record in the 50m Butterfly, clocking 25.65, an improvement of over half a second from his mark set earlier this year. Salomonsson also came within striking distance of one of the region's legendary benchmarks - Danyon Loader’s 100m Butterfly regional and national record of 56.38. Salomonsson’s 56.77 finish placed him just four tenths of a second shy of the mark; making it a ‘must watch’ race at December’s Otago Long Course Championships. Incredible effort, Neo—well done!

The day also saw spectacular performances from Charlotte Murphy and Amber Proudfoot (both from Swimming Canterbury West Coast). Together, the duo set ten new New Zealand Para records across multiple events, showcasing their determination, and hard work. Amazing achievements, Charlotte and Amber—congratulations!

The top eight finishers in each individual event earned points toward their age group standings, with several young athletes claiming standout performances. Congratulations to the following swimmers who were crowned Age Group Winners for 2024:

• Female 9 & Under: Hattie Olsen-Vetland (South Otago Sharks) – 90 points
• Male 9 & Under: Fergus Kindiak (Kiwi) – 132 points
• Female 10-11: Myla Duncan (Kiwi) – 144 points
• Male 10-11: Alex Bruce (Kiwi) – 104 points
• Female 12-13: Hannah Ker-Fox (Neptune) – 144 points
• Male 12-13: Leon McDonald (Timaru) – 96 points
• Female 14-15: Sydney Alva (Jasi) – 94 points
• Male 14-15: Neo Salomonsson (Kiwi) – 108 points
• Female 16 & Over: Amber Proudfoot (Aquagym) – 72 points
• Male 16 & Over: Curtis Mellsop (Nga Tai Tuatea a Taraika) – 96 points

This competition wouldn’t have been possible without the efforts of so many. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Kiwi Swim Club team for their incredible dedication and effort behind the scenes. To the technical officials, timekeepers, and all those who volunteered - thank you for making this event run smoothly. And where would we be without sponsors? Your support ensures these competitions continue to inspire the next generation of athletes - thank you all for being part of a memorable day!

👉 Click here to view the full results from the Perpetual Guardian Kiwi Challenge 2024.

Looking for your next racing opportunity? The Otago Long Course Championships are on from 7-8 December in Dunedin. Entries close on Thursday, 28 November, at 11:59pm – don’t miss out, get them in now!

Article added: Monday 28 October 2024