New talent between the nets

KLOOF resident and avid water polo player, Tristan Shallcross, will clock in extra mileage in the pool as he readies himself for the largest water polo event in the southern hemisphere, the Pan Pacific Festival.

His initial sport codes in primary school included soccer and athletics, both of which he excelled at.

When he enrolled at Glenwood High School, his height and arm span won him an invitation to try out for the water polo squad.

“The coaches are really friendly and offer a lot of support. All of my friends were playing and it is a pretty vibey sport. The first day was tough,” admitted Tristan, “but after that it became a passion.”

ALSO READ: Levi fuels his biking passion

In his first year of the sport he was welcomed into the KZN team.

Now, after two and a half years of training, inter-school games and tournaments, he was selected to compete in the prestigious international event in New Zealand. He will compete in two tournaments, the U16 pan pacific tournament and the pan pacific open tournament.

Tristan is most looking forward to the experience as a whole and testing himself against international water polo players.

“I like how it is very physical. The sport pushes you to your limits, you can set goals and work towards them. I always make sure that I aiming for something,” said the talented goalkeeper.

His coach has created an intense training schedule, which includes his usual regime with a few added extras.

He currently trains twice a day, each day. This is either a mash up of gym in the morning and swimming in the afternoon or a morning swim with water polo practice in the evenings. He has also included swimming training on weekends. A swimming session could last for up to two and a half hours.

ALSO READ: Curro players smash it on court 

“I really enjoy the sport and the fact that I can do something that I love, and hopefully one day join a team and make money from it, that’s incredible,” said a passionate Tristan. His next goal is to claim a water polo scholarship at a college overseas.

If there is one goal that has been set in stone and has not altered since he was little, was to become a vet.

“I have always had a fondness for animals. Five generations on my mom’s side have been vets,” he said.

Do you want to receive alerts regarding this and other Highway community news via WhatsApp? Send us a WhatsApp message (not an sms) with your name and surname (ONLY) to 060 532 5409.

You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

PLEASE NOTE: If you have signed up for our news alerts you need to save the Highway Mail WhatsApp number as a contact to your phone, otherwise you will not receive our alerts.