Caitlin showed an interest in competitive swimming at just nine years old while having lessons with Dean Kent at Northern Arena, Silverdale. When She joined Coast Swim Club based at that venue, it was immediately evident that she had found her passion.

A year later Caitlin qualified to swim at the NZ Junior National Championships as a 10 year old. The following year Caitlin won her first National Title in the 100m butterfly - a goal she had set herself. She was well placed in backstroke, butterfly, freestyle and medley which showed her versatility as a pool swimmer.

It was the same year that Caitlin (11 years old) announced that she had a dream to swim the Cook Strait and be the youngest female to complete it. Caitlin’s coach John Gatfield had completed this swim at 13 years old. It was a momentous and ambitious dream for an 11 year old but the dream was achievable.

Caitlin has always had a love for swimming in the ocean and regularly participates in the Banana Boat Ocean Swim Series around New Zealand.

She has also competed in New Zealand Open Water Championships in 2018 (5km & 10km). She medalled in her age category in 2019 (5km & 7.5km).

In 2019 she competed in the Australian Open Water Championship in Adelaide (5km) gaining experience in an international field.

Caitlin is the recipient of an AIMES North Harbour Club Junior Excellence Award in 2017 and Carmel College Outstanding Sporting Achievement Award 2018.

SURF Life Saving

In 2016 Caitlin was asked to represent Red Beach at Pool Champs - the inter-club winter competition for Surf Life Saving. This was the start of her association with the Red Beach Surf Life Saving Club - a fantastic club with a great community spirit. Although already a strong swimmer, the skills acquired swimming, boarding & paddling in surf immeasurably increased her confidence in the open water. Coached initially by Dylan Turner and others through Juniors and now head coach Jack Gavin, Caitlin has achieved her Bronze award and is looking forward to next season’s competitions and patrols.

ROWING

You would think that Caitlin would have had enough of water sports having trained up to 8 times a week for swimming - but last year she also decided that learning to row would be a good idea… North Shore Rowing Club has a learn to row novice program for those colleges without their own in house programs on the Shore. Having their clubhouse on Lake Pupuke ( Only a short walk from Carmel College ) was too convenient for her to pass up. So Wednesday and Friday evenings on the lake and Sunday mornings out of Rame Rd, Greenhithe she trains with her squad coached by Roger Kerr & Chris Brake. This up coming season will be the girls first competitive season so watch this space…