Age Group Swimmers Ready for Action in Hawke's Bay

2 days ago
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Competition Preview - 2026 NZ Age Group Swimming Championships

New Zealand’s top young swimmers are set to take centre stage this week in Hawke's Bay, as the 2026 NZ Age Group Swimming Championships return to the Hawke’s Bay Regional Aquatic Centre for the fourth consecutive year.

More than 540 swimmers will compete across the five-day meet, including many of the nation’s leading age group athletes and over 30 international competitors. Multi-class participation continues to grow, with 18 athletes competing across Paralympic and non-Paralympic pathway classifications.

The five day championships start on Wednesday 8 April and will wrap up on Sunday 12 April.

Swimmers will race in the 50m competition pool and battle it out for national age titles. The age groups on offer are 13 years, 14 years, 15 years, 16 years and Multi-Class (13 - 18 years), with ages set as of the first day of racing (8 April 2026).

In addition to aspiring for the national age title, some swimmers will be setting their eyes on achieving qualifying times for New Zealand teams selected for upcoming international competition later in the year. The championships offer opportunities for swimmers to qualify for various international competitions, including:

2026 Oceania Swimming Championships
2026 Junior Pan Pacific Swimming Championships
2026 Tri Series
2026 World Aquatics Junior Open Water Swimming Championships
2026 World Para Series
2026 Pan Pacific Para Swimming Championships

View Selection Criteria

There are a few swimmers who are knocking on the door to achieving qualifying times.

After a standout showing last year, 14-year-old Grayson Coulter (North Shore) returns in strong form, already securing a Junior Pan Pacific qualifying time in the 400m freestyle and targeting more his events.

Breakthrough Para swimmer Jessica Johnstone (St Peter’s) makes her debut, holding the SB9 NZ record in the 200m breaststroke and closing in on the 100m mark. She has already met qualifying standards for major international Para events and will contest all breaststroke distances.

Lucas Bell (Wharenui) has also achieved a qualifying standard in the 50m backstroke and will compete across all backstroke events. Meanwhile, Tegen Stewart (Nelson South) and Sheldon Hogan (Mount Maunganui) are tracking toward selection for the World Aquatics Junior Open Water Championships.

Several others are within reach of qualification, including Liam Curling (Coast) in sprint freestyle and Te Paki (Northwave) in backstroke. Connor Jenkins (Wharenui) and Madeleine Wilson (SwimZone Racing) could also be ones to watch, while a group of emerging swimmers – including Hana Carnie, Laura Menzies, Jade Lyles, Mackenzie Tobin and Arissa Liu – are all closing in on backstroke qualifying times across multiple distances.

In addition to those who aspire to qualify for New Zealand teams, there promises to be exciting racing on offer across each of the five days. We have provided the schedule for each day below.