Year 13 student Abbey Smale represented Garin in the South Island Makos Secondary Schools Open Water Swimming Championships held at Akaroa on 20 February. The 5km swim was also part of the New Zealand Open Water series, which Abbey currently leads. Abbey had an absolutely awesome swim, finishing 1st woman and 4th overall in the event with only a couple of minutes separating the first four place getters. Her success at the event earned her Gold in the Open Women’s Age Group and Gold in the South Island Secondary Schools Championship. Abbey will represent Garin at the New Zealand Secondary Schools Nationals Open Water Swimming Championships in Rotoroa in a few weeks’ time. We congratulate Abbey on her outstanding success last weekend and wish her all the best for Nationals.