Blomfield ready to go to work at Australian swimming meet

When Invercargill swimmer Jacob Blomfield puts on the heavy bass, it’s time to go to work.

The James Hargest College Year 12 student will represent New Zealand for the first time when he competes at the Australian state swimming championships in Canberra from October 3-5.

A member of Academy Southland’s first year intake, Blomfield has been able to take the things he is learning across mental skills, nutrition, strength and conditioning and athlete life, to cope with the demands of heavy training load and his studies, where he is aiming to achieve excellence endorsement.

Which is also where the heavy bass comes in.

When Blomfield is getting ready for the big race, he switches off his normal tunes and puts on something with some heavy bass and the big beats.

It doesn’t even really matter what it is, he’s not really listening to the music, just using the space to focus his attention on the things that matter.

Competing in Canberra, will be a big moment for the talented freestyler, who will race over a range of distances, including his specialist mid-to-long distance events.

“I’m looking forward to it, I’m hoping it goes well and I’m hoping that there are more opportunities to come,” Blomfield said.

“I’m want to swim PBs, trust in the processes and not get too shaken by the big lights and being at a big meet. I just want to do the best I’ve ever done, in terms of my own performances.”

“I try to stay calm and I use music to do that, to block everything out and just focus. I try to just control the things that I can control - like if I rip a swimming cap or something, I’m prepared for that.”