Riley Guildford strikes gold at Mako Junior Championships

Riley Guildford set a personal goal at the Blenheim Swim Club’s pre-season camp in January.

The eleven-year-old Bohally student targeted podium finishes in all his events at the forthcoming South Island Mako junior championships at Invercargill’s Splash Palace pool, then delivered in fine fashion, collecting three gold medals and six silver medals in the 11-year-old age group.

Riley was the stand-out performer among the six-strong BSC team which made the long trek south to attend the age group event, attended by nearly 200 swimmers, although his team mates also managed a string of personal bests.

He placed first in 100m fly, 200IM and the 50m Kick event and came second in the 50m, 100m and 200m free as well as 50m back, 50m fly and 100IM.

Finlay Calder (12) achieved a personal best time in all his seven individual events while Adam Brain, also 12, achieved a notable fourth in the 200m breast event and placed in the top ten in the 50m and 200m free and 100m breast.

Freddy Guildford (9), in the 10 and under category, placed in the top 10 for all of his eight events.

Charlotte d’Auvergne (12) recorded 20 seconds of PBs over nine events including over eight seconds in her 200IM while her sister, Harriet d’Augverne (11), knocked six seconds off her 100 IM and 200IM times.

Riley is an allrounder in the pool, as illustrated by his individual medley success, but has a favourite stroke. He prefers butterfly, mainly “because I am better at it and have had most success in the fly races”, and admits breaststroke is his least favoured option, suggesting “it definitely needs work”.

After swimming at the Stadium since he was six months old and then competitively for the past three years, Riley now steps up to the BSC senior group.

He is excited to be rubbing shoulders with the older swimmers, suggesting he loves everything about the swimming scene, despite the early morning starts and sometimes gruelling trainings sessions.

“I like being fit, winning medals and making new friends, as well as being part of a team,” the modest young man said.

His coach, Shane Skehan, feels Riley has “lots of potential”.

“He has a great attitude to swimming and life in general ... he’s very mature for his age and in the way he thinks about his chosen sport,” said Shane.

Riley’s next assignment is the South Island Town and Country champs, staged in his home pool later this month, where he will swim in the under 11-12 age bracket.

His parents and club members were quick to acknowledge the assistance of the Lions Foundation who helped with the cost of accommodation at the South Island Mako carnival.