Meet Kate Wills….
Kate has been swimming with the NZ Ocean Swim Series since AGES ago! Kate recently clocked up her 50th long swim with us in our Oceans of Fame, which is an amazing achievement. You can read about Kate, her top tips for new swimmers, and why she will Swimfluence you into the water.
| How long have you been swimming? | I was born to a mother who was totally petrified of the water, so as a result I didn’t get any swimming to speak of in my early years. When I was five years old I decided to follow my older brother jumping off the top level of the quay in our English village. Needless to say I proved I could save myself… and was in deep trouble with my mother! I managed a couple of swim seasons and learnt to swim when I was 12-13. That was when I discovered open water and did quite well in the only race I ever did (3km, Gisborne Harbour). I didn’t do any swimming at all after that until 2007, after spending far too many hours on the side of the pool watching my daughter doing baby and toddler swim lessons. |
| What’s your favourite event in the series? | King of the Bays, and I am sad to not have it now. Swim the Shore delivers it’s own challenges… but my favourite now seems to be Generation Homes Swim the Mount. I love the rough, and that one constantly challenges me. |
| Why that one? | KOB used to be at the end of the season, when all the training pays off. The waves were just right for me and the run up the beach wasn’t too long. |
| What is your favourite pre-race snack? | No pre-race for me: I get a bit nervous and never eat within 2 hours before the race. Post race, ALWAYS (!) ICE CREAM. No matter the result, I deserve it and Ice Cream is my one real weakness 😉 |
| What song is on your raceday music playlist? | Dory: Just keep swimming, just keep swimming! No, seriously, the voices of my friends that I see at these swim:, Alice and Derek Eaton, Maggie Johnston, Avy Judelson, Ann Browett and many many more, music to my ears! |
| What do you hope to achieve by becoming a Swimfluencer? | Swimming in the Banana Boat NZ Ocean Swim Series has literally saved my life, and I have met so many positive, driven and supportive people. The swim can put you outside your comfort zone, and still does with me (read: Rangitoto first timer, I’m worried!) I live in Taupo (#LOVETAUPO ) and am always pushing people to get in the lake during the season and then get to the events that they can. I hope I can spread the word to so many more and help people to get the most they can out of their lives. #kateswimsnz |
| If you had ONE PIECE of advice for a new ocean swimmer - what would it be? | Open water swimming is very much a mental game as well as the physical.. I am still mentally challenged after 14 years, so for newer swimmers, be kind to yourself when it gets tough. Challenge yourself, have belief in yourself, and learn the benefits of good drafting! |
Follow Kate on Facebook to follow her season this year…
