A TALENTED swimmer has been speaking about his first experience with a national youth squad.

Zach Speakman, a Year 10 pupil at Rydal Penrhos School, was part of the Swim Wales squad that competed at the Golden Tour in Nice, France.

The 15-year-old has risen up the national rankings significantly thanks to a series of exceptional performances that have earned him a selection to the set-up.

He said: “It was my first time with the Welsh squad but I really enjoyed the experience and I managed to learn a great deal.

“The coaches said that they were concentrating on our behaviour throughout the trip and how we prepared for each race, and it was great to get to know some of the squad members a bit better after competing against them for so long.”

Speakman performed well at the event and was one second off his personal best times in three different races, and he has set his sights on further success as the season progresses.

“The main objective for me is to climb the British rankings, as I am currently in the top 16 in all areas and want to push into the top ten,” he added.

“I am now training six days a week in the lead-up to the Easter Nationals, and the overall goal is to get into the British Summer Championships later this year.”