BESIDES the pop boy band One Direction, Hamilton South teenager Adelaide Markey's favourite thing is swimming.
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The bubbly 13-year-old has spent most of her life in the water.
Adelaide started as a nipper with Nobbys Surf Life Saving Club when she was six. Three years later she took up swimming to help build on these skills, and fell in love with the sport.
Adelaide is now a member of Newcastle university's NUSwim club. She trains at The Forum five times a week and does multiple gym sessions as well.
Her efforts have not gone unrewarded. Adelaide is a multiple NSW country medallist, a state age and state school finalist and an open water competitor. She will take on her first national competition next year in Perth at the open water championships.
But before that, Adelaide's talent will be displayed on the world stage at the 2014 Lake Macquarie International Children's Games from December 6 to 11. Thousands of competitors will flock to Lake Macquarie for the Games.
Adelaide is one of three swimmers on Team Newcastle. She will compete alongside two of her best friends, siblings Hannah and Emily Richardson.
Adelaide said she was excited for the Games and hoped to make lifelong friends.
"Like a mini Olympics, we get to stay in a dorm and eat, sleep and train with our team and other athletes from all over the world," she said.