Oldest competitor (93) at SA Masters still going strong

SPORT NEWS - At 93 years old, Richard Hills, fondly known as Dick, proved that age is just a number when you compete in the South African Masters Swimming Championships.

Hills had a wonderful time at the Conville Swimming Pool during this four-day event last week that brought together veteran swimmers from across the country.

He stood out as the oldest athlete in the competition, and one of the most inspiring, returning home with one gold and three silver medals. He competed as a member of the Wahoo Aquatics Club in Sunninghill, Johannesburg, although he currently lives at the CP Bradfield Methodist Retirement Village in Gqeberha. His wife passed away three years ago.

Coins in the pool

Hills' love of the water began in his childhood. As a young boy, his father was responsible for the demobilisation of troops returning home after World War II, in Durban.

At the facility where the soldiers passed through, there was a deep swimming pool and plenty of coins at the bottom.

"My brother and I earned pocket money diving down with a mug and collecting the coins," Hills recalls. "That's basically where I found the love of swimming. When I hit the water, I go straight to the bottom. Lovely. I like to stay there."

Richard Hills proudly displays the medals he earned at the recent SA Masters Championships, where he secured one gold and three silver medals. His standout performance came in the 200m breaststroke, where he claimed gold. He currently holds the South African record in the event.

In the ministry

Swimming and surfing remained part of his life through the years, although his calling took him elsewhere. Hills spent an extraordinary 60 years in the Methodist ministry, serving mainly in the Eastern Cape.

Alongside his faith was a lifelong love story: he and his wife were married for 66 years after meeting on the beach in KwaZulu-Natal, where he once promised he would swim the ocean for her, should she request it.

Richard Hills as a young man.

Hills is a qualified builder. After retiring from the Methodist ministry, he ran his own tour business, guiding visitors through the Western and Eastern Cape.

After retiring, Hills returned to England, where he was born, and served as a chap-lain with the British Army during the Afghanistan war, supporting regiments, including the Queen's Own Gurkhas and the Royal Engineers.

It was during that time that he began swimming regularly, training three times a week in a heated pool. "That was my requirement for keeping fit. I couldn't keep up with the regime for the young fellows," said Hills.

Richard Hills at Sieview Beach in Gqeberha.

Still training

Today, he still trains twice a week and is convinced that swimming and staying active is the reason why he is still in such good shape.

His coach, Bob Hathley (75), helped him to perfect the breast- and backstroke, which Hills said is absolutely necessary for participation in a master's competition. "Otherwise you get disqualified," he explained.

Bob Hathley (75) and Richard Hills (93) at the Conville Swimming Pool during the recent SA Masters Championships. Hathley has been coaching Richard since 2019. Photo: Melissa du Plooy

Hills had hoped to participate in the Australian Open three years ago, but unfortunately was unable to do so due to his age. He wanted to swim with his six great-grandchildren, who live in Australia.

Richard Hills loves to compete. Here he shares a happy moment at an earlier competition.