Whakatāne Swimming Club’s Zandre Herbst has been in strong swimming form.

The Whakatāne High School athlete competed at the recent New Zealand Age Group Swimming Championships, returning home with a couple of extra pieces of luggage.

In the 14-year-old boys 100-metre freestyle, Zandre picked up an impressive silver medal before backing up and nabbing a bronze in the shorter 50m freestyle.

His time of 55.20 seconds was enough to see him secure second to Parnell Swimming Club’s Yifang Zhang, and ahead of Matamata’s Everett Williams.

In the shorter format, he placed behind Yifang and Everett, narrowly missing out on another silver with his time of 25.46 seconds.

Winning a couple of medals were a real highlight for Zandre.

“The 100m freestyle was a really close finish. It was a great race.”

Zandre attended the championships with one eye on the short course nationals later in the year, which are his main focus for the season.

“It was my first time at nationals and the first time I had qualified.”

While it was a daunting stage with swimmers throughout the country competing, Zandre didn’t want to let the occasion get the better of him.

“I wanted to do my best and have fun but to try and get personal bests in all my events. The medals were a real bonus.”

“There was some really good competition. It had a great atmosphere and plenty of great people.”

He’s been swimming for about five years and enjoys giving it his all.

“I enjoy the feel of water, the floating feel of the water and like there is no gravity.”

“I am super thankful to my coach Mason Pickering, Mum and Dad, my sister and whānau for all the support they show me with my swimming. I just want to do as well as possible.”

Zandre is now training hard with the club for September’s short course nationals.