Pool of gold for Maxwell

FIVE sessions per week, rise at 3.40am, brave the freezing cold winter weather, head to Sydney and swim for a few hours.

Not your typical daily activity for a 12 year old boy.

It is for TeHaumi Maxwell of Oak Flats who attends Nazareth Catholic School at Shellharbour.

TeHaumi has a raw talent and the outstanding results to back it up which has amazed his coach at Aquadot in Sutherland, Gavin Stuart.

TeHaumi recently took out the Outstanding Swimmer of the meet, at the Australian All Schools Swimming Championships in Homebush and broke a record in the 12 years 50m freestyle along the way to collecting six gold medals and one silver.

Already speaking with a maturity beyond his years, TeHaumi recalls the feeling on the podium when he received the award.

Just being on the podium was a real honour and winning the Swimmer of the meet was great as Ian Thorpes name is on that trophy, he said.

While other swimmers his age train up to 11 sessions per week TaHaumis parents want their son to have time to develop and have fun, as his father Rob explains.

He does all the work himself, we are very proud of him and want to make sure he enjoys himself, he said.

In the near future TeHaumi will look to increase his mileage in the pool and continue to be inspired by his Idol Ian Thorpe who has a simple but effective message for young swimmers.

Thorpie says Swim like how you train and it would be great to follow in his footsteps and achieve what he has.

The future star started swimming at Shane Dowels Swim School and hasnt looked back since.