NZ Trials Loom Large for Dell and Clareburt

Lewis Clareburt and Zac Dell, our two Kiwi F-Teamers, are eager to land a spot on New Zealand’s national teams this year. From April 4-9 the best New Zealand has to offer will converge at the Sir Owen Glenn National Aquatic Centre, in Auckland, for their chance at selection for the 2022 Commonwealth Games, World Championships, and Mare Nostrum Tour teams.

Olympian Clareburt is no stranger to the international racing scene, and has already qualified for Worlds with his recent performances. With the qualification criteria being different for the two competitions, the April meet will be his opportunity to also qualify for the Birmingham Comm Games. Clareburt will have a busy program of six events in Auckland, including his favoured 400m Individual Medley.

Lewis wasn’t initially selected onto his first international team in 2018. A late selection, he went on to claim bronze at the Gold Coast Comm Games, and followed up in 2019 with a podium performance at the 2019 World Championships; both in the 400m IM.

Based out of the Capital Swim Club in Wellington, he says he has a lot of positive things to learn from his maiden Olympics in Tokyo. “I would really love to become more of myself and learn how to control what I can do, and continue to figure out how to improve on my Tokyo performances. I need to learn how to put a good time forward when it counts. I trust myself and back myself at training, and am learning to do this come race day.”

To stay in your hometown your entire career is a tough thing to do whilst achieving Olympic status, and this is something that Lewis is proud of. “I’ve trained here (in NZ) my whole life and haven’t needed to go overseas to further my swimming. To say that I am an Olympian that has trained out of New Zealand, I am proud of that.”

Zac isn’t too far off international senior team selection himself. In Auckland he will contest the 50m, 100m and 200m Backstroke events, as well as the 50m and 100m Freestyle double. Back in 2019 Dell earned himself a semi-final at the Junior Worlds, and is chomping at the bit to make the FINA “A” time in the 50m Backstroke come April. “I need to swim 25.17 which would get me to Worlds and also a good chance at being selected for the Comm Games,” he said. With a PB of 25.50, it’s going to be touch-and-go.

For 11 years Dell has trained out of the Pukekohe Swimming Club. “In that time I’ve seen the club grow immensely. My coach Mitchell Nairn, who has been there for 4 years, has done a lot in helping the club grow and creating a high performance environment. My squad is very speed-oriented. A week of training for me consists of 9 swims and 3 gyms.”

Between them the Kiwi duo aren’t just fast swimmers, they have some unique hobbies which allow them to enjoy stepping away for some down-time. Zac is a gamer and enjoys some DJing, and can also solve a Rubik’s cube in 30 seconds. Lewis, on the other hand, prefers the outdoorsy scene; beach and surfing are his flavour.

All the best to our Kiwi F-Teamers for their 2022 campaigns. Be sure to keep up to date with their achievements via their socials @zac_dell and @lewis_clareburt.