After missing out in 2008 at Beijing, he can nearly reach out and touch a Paralympic berth in London.

The Yass local and former Mt Carmel student, experienced a stroke when he was 10 years old which resulted in limited feeling in the left side of his body.

Now 21 years-of-age, he swims in the S6 category, which is the middle class in the Cerebral Palsy range. He is currently ranked in the top eight in the world for the 50 metre butterfly and the 200 metre individual medley.

However, this could’ve amounted to nothing if Rhind was not quick enough in Adelaide at nationals last week. He performed well in Adelaide, and swam three personal best times, but he is not getting his hopes up.

“I’m not over confident I will make the team,” he said.

“I am not sure at the moment, we will just have to wait and see.”

Rhind swims at CISAC in Belconnen for the Ginnenderra Marlins. He trains twice a day, both mornings and afternoons, but is based in Yass during the day. He also spends a lot of time in the gym working on his strength and conditioning.

“It is a lot of work, but if I make the Paralympics all that work would have paid off.”

“I am definitely at my peak and swimming the fastest I have ever swum before.

“I hope it’s enough to make the team.”

Aaron Rhind will find out in June if he is going to London.