Hawke's Bay Poverty Bay swimmers delivered an outstanding performance at the 2026 New Zealand Secondary School Swimming Championships in Auckland, bringing home an impressive 28 individual medals and two relay medals while proudly representing their respective schools.

The championships showcased some of the country's top secondary school talent, with HBPB athletes producing exceptional performances, personal bests, and several new HBPB records over the weekend.

Among the standout performers was Paige Franklin (CHB Swim Club), who claimed five medals, including gold in the 50m Breaststroke in a new HBPB record of 33.13, while also setting another regional record in the 100m Breaststroke.

Ruby Sisam (Heretaunga Sundevils Swimming) also enjoyed a remarkable meet, winning three gold medals in the 50m Butterfly, 50m Freestyle and 100m Freestyle, while adding silver and bronze medals to complete an outstanding five-medal haul.

Sam Skidmore (Trojans Swim Club) produced another HBPB record in the 50m Freestyle with a time of 23.12, earning silver, alongside bronze medals in the 50m Butterfly and 100m Freestyle.

Other gold medal performances came from Charlotte McLaren (Trojans Swim Club) in the 200m Breaststroke and Phoebe Nettle (Trojans Swim Club) in the 200m Butterfly.

Medal Winners

Sam Skidmore – Trojans Swim Club (17–19 Years)

• 🥈 50m Freestyle – 23.12 (HBPB Record)
• 🥉 50m Butterfly – 25.13
• 🥉 100m Freestyle – 50.98

Paige Franklin – CHB Swim Club (17–19 Years)

• 🥇 50m Breaststroke – 33.13 (HBPB Record)
• 🥈 100m Breaststroke – 1:12.70 (HBPB Record)
• 🥈 100m Individual Medley – 1:06.35
• 🥈 200m Individual Medley – 2:25.82
• 🥉 200m Breaststroke – 2:39.87

Ruby Sisam – Heretaunga Sundevils Swimming (16 Years)

• 🥇 50m Butterfly – 28.06 (HBPB Record)
• 🥇 50m Freestyle – 26.74
• 🥇 100m Freestyle – 58.70
• 🥈 50m Backstroke – 29.17
• 🥉 100m Individual Medley – 1:07.21

Rio Sasamoto – Enterprise Cars Swim Team (17–19 Years)

• 🥉 200m Butterfly – 2:28.56
• 🥉 200m Individual Medley – 2:27.79

Brooke Speers – Greendale Swim Club (17–19 Years)

• 🥈 100m Backstroke – 1:03.03
• 🥈 200m Backstroke – 2:17.89

Charlotte McLaren – Trojans Swim Club (16 Years)

• 🥇 200m Breaststroke – 2:42.54
• 🥈 200m Individual Medley – 2:24.50
• 🥈 100m Breaststroke – 1:15.63

Scarlett Botes – Napier Aquahawks Swim Club (16 Years)

• 🥈 100m Individual Medley – 1:07.13
• 🥉 100m Butterfly – 1:04.29
• 🥉 50m Freestyle – 27.12

Celia Willoughby – Comet Swimming (16 Years)

• 🥈 50m Freestyle – 26.97

Phoebe Nettle – Trojans Swim Club (16 Years)

• 🥇 200m Butterfly – 2:22.36

Kyle Setford – Heretaunga Sundevils Swimming (15 Years)

• 🥉 100m Backstroke – 59.72

Aiden Carlisle – Napier Aquahawks Swim Club (14 Years)

• 🥉 100m Breaststroke – 1:10.40
• 🥉 100m Butterfly – 59.86

Relay Success

HBPB swimmers also enjoyed relay success while representing Gisborne Girls' High School, collecting two bronze medals:

• 🥉 4 × 50m Freestyle Relay – Lola Stewart, Brooke Williams, Sophie Phelps and Charlotte Willoughby.
• 🥉 8 × 50m Freestyle Relay – Lola Stewart, Bella Barclay, Sophie Phelps, Zoe Keepa, Brooke Williams, Charlotte Willoughby, Rio Sasamoto and Celia Willoughby.

Congratulations to every HBPB swimmer who represented their school with pride throughout the championships. These results are a testament to the dedication of the athletes, coaches, clubs and families who continue to support swimming across the Hawke's Bay Poverty Bay region.

Well done to all our medal winners on an outstanding championship!