It’s never too early to get a leg up on the competition.

Young swimmer Matthew Van De Wynckel is doing just that by joining the Wilmot Aquatic Aces, where the four-year-old is the swim team’s youngest member.

His brother, Brayden, six, also swims with the Aces. It’s unusual for such young swimmers to compete in the pool, and at a recent meet in St. Thomas, the two brothers from Baden raced only each other because no other teams had entered anyone in the six-and-under category.

This is Matthew’s first year with the Aces, which he joined in September. Usually the minimum age is five, but after trying out he was allowed to join the team.

Not only that, but he was promoted to level two and allowed to compete right away – much to his parents surprise.

Even though there aren’t many same-aged competitors for him to face, the early start should still give Matthew an advantage as he gets older.

The water is just his natural habitat, says his mom Sherilyn Van De Wynckel. The family has an indoor pool, and so Matthew was learning to love the water as early as possible. Ever since, he has swum nearly every day.

“He was swimming before he was born,” she says. “Matthew was jumping off the diving board when he was two by himself. He really enjoyed it from the beginning.”

It’s not that Matthew is an extremely competitive boy. He just likes to be active and copy his older brother.

“They’re trying to beat their best time, that’s basically it,” Sherilyn says of Brayden beating Matthew in the pool. “I’m sure he’d love to be first. At the same time he was excited he beat his best time.”

In fact, both Matthew and Brayden are blooming athletes who competed in a kids’ triathalon in September.

Sixty kids in each age category raced in Lakeside, Ont., near St. Marys.  Matthew was fourth out of all the 3-5 year olds after finishing his 15 metre swim in the lake, 200 metre bike ride, and 50 metre run.

Brayden was sick the night before, and much slower than his usual time, but still wanted to race and managed to finish in the middle of the pack.

The boys trained at home by marking out a course in their neighbourhood. They practiced almost every day for a month, their mom says, and both enjoyed it: “They asked to do it again,” Sherilyn says.

The boys have inherited their athleticism from active parents. Sherilyn runs triathalons, and husband Michael coaches badminton and plays golf – Matthew is also a budding golfer. The family runs New Hamburg’s annual Hamburger Hill races together.

The boys have been given the chance to try many sports. Their favourites change depending what day you ask them. Last week, Matthew’s was hockey and Brayden’s soccer

“They're very active and interested in just about every sport,” she says. “I ask and they do.”

“They do have a lot of energy.” 

Both boys also play soccer and gymnastics. They’d like to try hockey, but the family  can’t fit it in. 

In the winter, the family makes a rink in the backyard. When the 2010 Olympics were on, Matthew and Brayden made a speed skating oval and raced each other for gold and silver.

Matthew’s success in the water at an early age is part temperment and part practice.

“He’s very relaxed, he doesn’t get nervous about the race…He’s always asking to go swimming,” Sherilyn says, and will stay in for hours.

Sherilyn says she will keep the boys swimming until they have skills to keep them safe in the water, and continue triathalons because the boys love them.

“I think swimming is one of the best sports out there. It’s a good workout and it’s a lifesaving….you need to be able to save yourself if you’re ever in the water.”