![Caitlin Deans](https://www.odt.co.nz/sites/default/files/styles/odt_square_small/public/story/2023/01/caitlin_deans.jpg?itok=zz0-Y617)
Erika Fairweather, Caitlin Deans and Curtis Mellsop will join three other Otago swimmers braving the cold to take part in the New Zealand Open Water Swimming Championships at Lake Taupo for the first time this weekend.
Fairweather and Deans, who competed at the world short-course championships in Melbourne late last year, will both compete in the women’s 5km tomorrow.
Mellsop will compete in the men’s 5km. This is the first time the trio have competed in open water swimming at this level.
![Erika Fairweather](https://www.odt.co.nz/sites/default/files/styles/odt_square_small/public/story/2024/07/erika_fairweather_hs_010622_0.jpg?itok=a_nWOWIN)
Reddy has a big weekend ahead of her, competing in the women’s 2.5km and epic swim 1km events as well.
Emilia Finer, who recently transferred from Dargaville to Neptune Swim Club, will join Heath in the women’s 10km.
Eligh Ashby will also be gunning to defend his titles in the men’s 5km and 10km events.
The open water course involves a 1.25km rectangular space with swimmers completing laps of the set-up for their chosen distances.