'He is my friend, coach, mentor all in one'
REAGAN Wickens swims solo in the pool in competitions.
But with him every stroke is Sutherland Leisure Centre head coach Gavin Stewart.
Wickens, 19, of Grays Points, credits Stewart for his development not just as a swimmer but as a young man.
"He is my friend, coach, mentor all in one," Wickens said.
"Gavin has had a big influence in my life.
"He's a great coach. He always listens to me when I have problems."
Stewart has been the teenager's coach since 2010 and their partnership is as a strong as steel.
Wickens represented Australia at the London 2012 Paralympics, where he finished fourth in the S6 classification.
The S6 classification is for competitors with cerebral palsy and short stature.
Now he is readying himself for the next big event in his swimming life.
Wickens will fly out on August 1 with the Australian team for the Pan Pacific Games in the USA.
The determined athlete will compete in five events in Pasadena, California, from August 6 to 11; 400m freestyle, 200m individual medley, 100m freestyle, 50m freestyle and 50m butterfly.
The former St Patrick's College, Sutherland, student is also club captain at Sutherland Leisure Centre.
Wickens said he thrived on the involvement and camaraderie at the club where he trains 10 times a week at the centre; five morning and five afternoon sessions.
His CV of international achievements include five gold medals at the 2013 World Dwarf Games in Lansing, Michigan.
Wickens said one of the other most important areas of his life is his job.
He works three days at a week at the Commonwealth Bank, Sydney Olympic Park, in its insurance division at.
"I enjoy the job," he said.
Wickens said his parents, Lisa and Neale and brothers, Ryan, Dane and Jordan, were his bedrock.
Wickens also holds a scholarship with the NSW Institute of Sport.