When Paris Vasta launches into the pool in Singapore later this month, she will do so safe in the knowledge that she could not have done any more in her preparation for her first overseas competition.
According to her dad and coach Alex, Vasta is a workaholic inside and outside the pool, dedicating countless hours to her swimming training, including nine pool sessions and two gym sessions a week, and just as many hours outside the pool completing her year 12 studies.
Vasta, a member of the Laverton Swimming Club, has been selected to represent Victoria at the Singapore National Championships from June 21-23 and she can’t wait for the experience of her first overseas trip, not only as a competitor, but also as a traveller.
“I’m really looking forward to it,” Vasta said.
“It will be my first ever overseas flight, let alone competition, and I’m really excited to gain some international racing experience that will definitely help me carry forward with my swimming career.”
Vasta has been in the water for as long as she can remember. She starting swimming before even blowing out her first birthday candle, at just eight months, and by the time she was seven she began competitive swimming.
By the age of eight, Vasta started dreaming of representing Australia at an Olympic Games, a dream she still holds 10 years later.
Vasta’s year has already turned heads in the swimming fraternity.
In February, she competed in the Commonwealth Games trials on the Gold Coast, featuring on national television.
She made the final in her best event, the 200-metre breaststroke, while coming 10th in the 100-metre breaststroke and 13th in the 50-metre breaststroke.
“It was an amazing experience and really built up my motivation and determination to reach my goals,” Vasta said.
Vasta took the Australian Age Swimming Championships by storm in Sydney.
She won gold in the 200-metre breaststroke and silver in the 100-metre breaststroke.
Her success in Sydney saw her get a call-up for Victoria’s trip to Singapore.
Alex Vasta is understandably proud of his daughters – his other daughter Cartier is also a swimming star, coming 11th in the 100-metre breaststroke and 14th in the 200-metre breaststroke, both with PB times, at the Australian Age Swimming Championships – but he also sees the bigger picture.
Through his coaching with Laverton Swimming Club, he wants to help build up the west’s reputation for the development of swimming stars and wants to see less talent drain to the clubs across town.
“We’re trying to keep these kids engaged with the sport they love and represent our community moving forward,” Alex said.
“Most of the talented kids from our community end up leaving and going across the Yarra as they are perceived to be better clubs.
“We’ve made a commitment that we will support each and every family that come through and to keep them engaged and to stay in the west.
“My dream is to have an Olympian come out of here one day.”
