Sebastian Paulins says competing at the FINA World Junior Open Water Championships in Hungary was the "greatest experience" of his life.
"I've never been to Europe, never been on a Canadian team and I've never had that international experience," said the 16-year-old member of the Brantford Aquatic Club.
"It was great."
It has been quite a year for Paulins. He enjoyed success in the pool competing at the Canadian Swimming Trials in Victoria and the Canadian Swimming Championships in Saskatoon.
"I wasn't too sure what to expect because I usually race people in my own age group," said Paulins.
"Racing all these big names and swimmers I've seen in the Olympics and on big stages, I knew it was going to be fast.
"I was pretty happy. It was mostly for the experience and to have that under my belt."
Those meets helped him get ready for the open water championships.
While Paulins started swimming as a six-year-old, it wasn't until he was 11 that he began open water swimming when he went to Camp Chikopi on Ahmic Lake in the Parry Sound district.
For more on the article: http://www.brantfordexpositor.ca/2014/09/21/fina-world-junior-open-water-championships-hitting-the-open-water
