Teenage champion swimmers, Kilian Carrel and Thomas Raymond, have their eyes set on competing in the 10 km Open Water event at the FINA Marathon Swim World Cup Series in Israel in November.
At the Australian Open Water Championships in Adelaide in March, Kilian and Tom, both from Noosa, dominated the Junior (19 yrs) 10km race, placing first and second, respectively.
Three months later they paid their own way to Paris to gain experience by swimming against 50 “open age” swimmers in Leg 2 of the World Cup Series.
Now they want to add to that experience and prepare for the Australian titles in January by racing in the final leg of the ‘Marathon Swim World Cup’ series to be held in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Eilat in November.
A problem is that they used up their funds to go to Paris and they are now seeking community support to go to Israel.
“This is the first time we have tried to raise money to go to competitions,” Kilian told Noosa Today. “Previously, Tom and I have relied on grants, scholarships and help from our parents.”
International and Olympic swimming coach, John ‘JR’ Rodgers is impressed by Kilian and Tom’s performances in Adelaide and France and he is encouraging them to seek financial support.
‘JR’ says: “The World Cup in Israel is the final event before the Australian Titles in January, and this race will enhance their racing competitiveness. Tom and Killian train with diligence in their desire to succeed. They have shown great initiative in trying to self-fund for their trip to Israel.”
Tom and Kilian are training ten times a week at the Noosa Aquatic Centre (NAC). for about 2.5 hours each session. Tom is an Arts student at Griffith University who plans to become a jeweller. Kilian, who also competes in surf-lifesaving at Noosa Heads SLSC, is starting his own business as a private learn-to- swim teacher.
Readers who want to help these star athletes can purchase raffle tickets with 10 prizes valued at approximately $2,000, through the Noosa Swimming Club Instagram account at instagram.com/noosaswimmingclub?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
Or why not have a coffee at the NAC and see them after a training session (about 7.30am and 5.30pm daily except Wednesday and Sundays)
[Dr Ian Jobling is Honorary Director of the UQ Centre of Olympic and Paralympic Studies]
