Masters swimmers make a splash at SA champs

GEORGE NEWS - Athletes from all over the country and across national borders gathered for the 41st South African Masters Swimming Long Course Championships, held at the Conville Public Swimming Pool from 11 to 14 March.

Hosted in George, the championships attracted 24 teams, including international competitors from Kenya, Namibia and Zim-babwe.

In the overall club standings, Cape Town Masters Swimming Club emerged as the top club. Fish Eagles Masters Swimming (Fems), the Garden Route's largest and oldest masters club, placed fourth overall with 1 824 points against some of the country's strongest teams.

Coelacanths Masters Swimming Club (Pretoria) secured an excellent second place overall, while Wahoo Masters Swimming Club (Johannesburg) followed closely in third.

Age groups at the event ran in five-year in-crements, starting from 18 to 24, to cater for swimmers beyond the school-leaving stage, all the way up to 90 to 95.

World records

Cape Town Masters swimmers stole the headlines with potential world records.

Cecilia Stanford set a new benchmark in the 65-69 age group, completing the 400m individual medley in 6:11.92, while Edith Otterman smashed the 50m freestyle with a time of 28.50 seconds.

Both performances are awaiting official ratification from the global swimming body, the Fédération Internationale de Natation.

Fish Eagle Master Swimmers (Fems) from all over the Garden Route, with Jed van Roon-Gifford (25), one of the youngest members, in front.

Fems alive and kicking

Under chairperson Eugene Schoombie, Fems played a key role both in and out of the pool. Having previously hosted the national championships in Oudtshoorn in 2002 and again in 2011, the club has grown significantly over the years, expanding to include both pool and open-water disciplines.

According to team captain Tanya Livingston, the event's success was made possible by a dedicated local organising committee and strong team support, along with the sponsors and volunteers.

Schoombie commended the Conville Neighbourhood Watch for the excellent role they played in ensuring the safety and security of the event. "In particular, Rudy Lewis and his team conducted themselves with pride and professionalism throughout. Their dedication truly deserves positive recognition and exposure,” he said.

The Fish Eagles Masters Swimmers’ local organising committee: Eugene and Karen Schoombie, Anja Swart, Lanie Bornman, Laverne and Jed Van Roon-Gifford, Jana and Kobus Grobler, Cheryl Griffiths, Gavin Gericke and Jill Black.

Fems swimmers delivered commendable performances. Notably, the 85-year-old Judy Dixon claimed gold in her age group and was also recognised for her long-standing participation in the championships, marking her 10th appearance.

The club's oldest member, Buddy Borstlap (93), attended as a spectator this year due to illness. Borstlap broke a 100m backstroke record in 2023, which had been standing for decades.

Locally, the masters swimming calendar continues with the Winter Challenge in August, aimed at encouraging participation and raising funds for charity, followed by the regional short course championships in October.

The next SA Masters Championships will take place in Cape Town from 10 to 13 March 2027.

Pat Reen (69) of PE Masters Swimming Club, preparing to hit the water.