New setting learning curve for Fairweather
Erika Fairweather. Photo: BW Media
Olympian Erika Fairweather has not handed in her Dunedin card just yet.
But she will be swimming for the North Shore Swimming Club and against some of her old team-mates at the national championships beginning in Auckland today.
The 21-year-old moved to the City of Sails earlier this year.
Her decision to relocate came after her former coach, Lars Humer, announced he was stepping back from international coaching.
She has linked up with national head coach Graham Hill and is enjoying the training environment.
"I guess it's still a major learning curve at the moment," she said.
"You know, I worked with Lars back home for seven years, so coming in and having a new coach now for only three months, we're still learning our way around each other.
"But I'm having a really good time with it, and I think it's going to be a really positive relationship going forward."
Fairweather's main focus is the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
But there are the world championships later this year and the 2026 Commonwealth Games to prepare for as well.
"I guess this year is kind of just ... I want to call it almost an adjustment year.
"[I'm] kind of getting used to everything new that's going on.
"I don't think it's going to affect my performances at all.
"I think I'll still be performing at the top, but just kind of allowing myself that room is what I'm really mindful of at the moment."
She misses her old Otago team-mates, but it is also nice to have "a bunch of different people around me", including one young man, "who gives me a run for my money all the time".
"Yeah, it's going to be definitely a weird one [racing them].
"I think I still haven't gotten used to wearing the North Shore logo.
"That might take a little bit of time, but yeah, excited to race for my new club.
"I'm a Dunedin girl at heart. I don't think you could ever take that out of me.
"Definitely won't be a Jafa any time soon."
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