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SWIMMING NEWS & VIDEOS - George has a new world 50m butterfly swimming champion!

Local swimming sensation, Minke Janse van Rensburg (19) broke the previous world record set by an Australian in 2013 by 2 seconds at the Senior National Swimming Championships in Gqeberha yesterday, Thursday 11 April. 

Following her latest record competing in the category S14 for intellectually disabled persons, Minke is now the proud holder of six world records.

Her ecstatic dad, Hennie Janse van Rensburg, praised Minke’s coach, Franna Vorster’s keen observation talents. 

“Franna spotted that she swam the last three meters much faster and in a different style. He started grilling her to use her end-style for increasingly long times, recorded her doing this and then made Minke watch the video about 50 times! He performed a miracle by seeing and utilising the crucial change in her swimming style. It worked wonders. We are incredibly happy and grateful.”

Vorster is the owner of Garden Route Swimming School in George and also coaches George’s other down syndrome swimming star, Savanna Haselau (18).

The Senior National Swimming Championships is the biggest swimming competition in SA and before the event Hennie said his daughter was looking forward to the gala. 

"Minke always checks out the fastest swimmers and then she wants to mingle with them. She's done this since she was a little girl. She is crazy about Lara van Niekerk and Tatjana Schoenmaker and watches them with hawk eyes when they compete. I think she believes she can compete against them."

Today, Friday 12 April, Minke will participate in the 200m Individual Medley and tomorrow the 50m Backstroke and 100m Freestyle await. The Senior Nationals is an Olympic Games qualifier competition.

VIDEO: Minke in the water

Busy swimmers

Minke and Savanna have been jet-setting between Turkey and Durban over the past few weeks. These two are considered by their fellow swimmers, coaches and supporters within the community as true ambassadors for George, and our country.

Minke made some serious waves in Turkey, where she bagged five medals (three gold and two silver) during the Trisome Games world swimming championships. Savanna, on the other hand, improved her personal best times (PBs) in each and every item she swam, with at least 10s.

The two swimmers participated in the Sasa II (SA Sport Association for the Intellectually Impaired) swimming championships held in Durban from 3 to 6 April, where they both excelled. As SA's top Down syndrome swimmer, Minke received 15 gold medals for all 15 items in which she participated, and Savanna was honoured with a trophy for the 'Most Improved Down Syndrome Swimmer in SA'.

"Savanna landed in South Africa on 3 April following a weeklong holiday in Turkey after the Trisome Games, and went straight to Durban for the Sasa II galas on 4 April, coping really well," said Savanna's mom, Lynne Tarr.

Savanna Haselau (18) 

VIDEO: Minke receives her medal

New in the game

Savanna's grandmother, Elsa Davids, said she only started participating in galas 18 months ago. "I wish I could see her in Durban, but my health wasn't so good. I cheered from the couch in George," said Davids. Savanna was accompanied by her mother Lynne and family. "I am amazed at how she has improved over the last year," said Lynne.

Savanna returned to George on Monday 8 April where she was welcomed by students and teachers of Up With Downs School at George Airport. Elsa said many people have the notion that children with Down syndrome are unable to do anything. 

"Remember, they don't consider themselves disabled," said Davids. "They are just kids. Certain things that might be an issue to others, is not a bother for them. For instance, Savanna is fond of her own ears, although they look different. 'Look granny, I love my ears – they look just like Shrek's', she would say to me." 

Elsa said their family is incredibly grateful for everything Minke's family did for Savanna over the last few months. "Minke and Savanna are good friends. Minke is Savanna's inspiration," said Elsa. Both Minke and Savanna are members of Fish Eagles Aquatics Swim Club.

Hennie is certain that Savanna's swimming achievements will be on a completely different level four years from now. 

"She is, however, moving to Howick in KwaZulu-Natal, where she will compete. I am sad that she is lost for us in the Western Cape, but she is not lost for South Africa. She will be in very good hands," said Hennie.

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