In the lead up to the 2018 Pan Pacific Para Swimming Championships in Cairns next month, we shine the spotlight on Australian Dolphins debutante Jaime-Lee Getson.
Born in Melbourne, Jaime-Lee, 19, learned to swim at an early age, but only began training seriously for competitions in 2014. She now trains under the guidance of Melbourne Torpedoes Head Coach Daniel Blackborrow. Her ultimate dream is to represent Australia at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo.
At the recent Australian Pan Pacific Championship Trials in Adelaide, we saw some outstanding swimming from Jaime-Lee, making finals in 4 of her 5 events and swimming a PB in the 100m Backstroke. She proved that she is one to watch on the para swimming scene.
We recently sat down with Jaime-Lee to find out how she’s feeling in the lead up to the Championships…
Jaime-Lee, how did you feel when you found out you were selected on the team?
I felt a huge sense of pride and honour to be selected to the National Senior Team for a major senior benchmark event for Paralympic swimmers in 2018 at the Pan Pacific Para Championships.
What are you most looking forward to?
Putting on the green and gold uniform, being a part of the mateship in an Australian Dolphins Para team and performing at the highest level.
I’m also looking forward to racing on home soil in Australia as my family can witness my first Australian Dolphins International Championship.
What are you hoping to achieve?
I am consistently undertaking a high level of pool and dry land training so that I can test my progress against world benchmark rankings. I want to build on my results from the qualifying event to achieve my best and hopefully make some finals.
How are you feeling in the lead up to the event?
My coach and I are focussing on my preparation and what will be required to achieve peak performance during the event.
I’m feeling every emotion in the lead up to the event, both proud of my achievement and nervous about what is to come. Whatever happens I am keen to give it my very best and to swim faster than I have ever swum before.
We wish Jaime-Lee the very best of luck at the Para Pan Pacs and beyond!
The Pan Pacific Para Swimming Championships will take place from 9th – 13th August at the Tobruk Memorial Pool in Cairns. For further information click here.
