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North Shore People: Where Are They Now?
Channel’s new contributing writer, Olympian Melissa Ingram, this month introduces a new feature to the magazine. Taking a look at the present day lives of North Shore personalities who found public recognition through their endeavours in the past, Melissa asks… Where are they now? Corney Swanepoel.
A New Chapter for Swanepoel Corney Swanepoel is a household name on the North Shore. The two-time Olympian was a swimming teen sensation, smashing national records after bursting onto the international swimming scene in 2003 at just 16 years of age. He was still a student at Rangitoto College when he finished thirteenth at the Athens Olympics in the 100m butterfly. At the Beijing Olympics four years later he was a part of the men’s medley relay team that finished fifth, the first New Zealand relay in history to qualify for an Olympic final. After a nine year international swimming career filled with world championship finals and a bronze medal, he decided to hang up his goggles for good in 2012 after missing selection for the London Olympics. A modest Swanepoel didn’t want any fanfare when he retired from the sport he loved. He quietly stepped away from the spotlight and chose a new pathway for his passion. Corney had been working for Absolute Insurance for the last three years of his swimming career as part of a sponsorship arrangement, and the end of his swimming life resulted in him contemplating his career path and what kind of job would make him happy. “I wanted to find something that I had the same passion for as I had for swimming. If it’s not the right thing then you’re going to end up resenting it,” Swanepoel said. After four months of working in a support role in the call centre at Absolute Insurance he decided that the company was a good fit for him. It is owned and operated by Commonwealth Games gold medallist Jaynie Hudgell (Parkhouse), her husband Craig, and their two friends Chris and Marie Boon. “I explored quite a few options. It boiled down to the culture of the company. It’s a family owned company that’s personable, friendly, and family orientated,” he said. Since then Corney has become increasingly enthralled by his work as an insurance adviser. He fondly remembers helping a mum find an insurance policy that covered her son’s debilitating disease. She had nearly given up on finding health cover for her child, but Swanepoel's extensive knowledge of insurance policies provided her with the answer she needed. It’s evident when talking to Swanepoel that he is passionate about what he does, and like his swimming, he puts everything into being the best he can be. “Being an elite swimmer teaches you a lot. You have to be disciplined and have a great work ethic to succeed, so I’ve taken those swimming principles and implemented them into this,” he said. “From day one it’s all about honest advice. It’s all about the clients best interests. At Absolute Insurance every adviser is constantly being trained and up skilled. There are a series of support systems in place,” Swanepoel admitted.
Issue 33 - June 2013 www.channelmag.co.nz
I wanted to find something that I had the same passion for as I had for swimming. If it’s not the right thing then you’re going to end up resenting it. He is keen to raise awareness about the importance of medical insurance amongst his peers and people under forty. “Many people believe that they don’t need health insurance when they are young because they are healthy, but it’s important to get cover before anything happens, so that you’re not affected by pre-existing health conditions and you never know what is around the corner.” But it’s not all work for the South African born water baby. In his spare time he loves to hit the beach at Takapuna and enjoy the relaxed lifestyle of the North Shore. “Growing up on the North Shore was fantastic. My brothers and I couldn’t believe it when we moved here from Cape Town and all the kids were safely riding their bikes on the street after dark. It blew our minds because we’d never seen anything like it. I love the freedom here, but I’m proud of my South African roots,” he stated. The transition from the elite sporting world to the business world can be a tough one, but Swanepoel has taken the challenge in his stride and is flourishing in his newfound career. There is no doubt that he will be just as successful in his new pursuit as he was in his old one. Get in touch with Corney at www.absoluteinsurance.co.nz