Swimming gala a success
It was attended by 304 swimmers from seven swim schools. It was held in honour of Making Waves Swim School founder, Cally Passmore.
The organiser of the Learn to Swim Gala, Lara Nortjè from Making Waves Swim School, said she was overwhelmed and felt lucky after witnessing more than 300 swimmers attend the event at Pinnacle College on September 25.
According to Nortjè, the event was held to honour founder of the Rynfield-based swimming school, the late Cally Passmore, who died in May.
“I feel overwhelmed and lucky. I hope Cally is proud. It was her dream and what she wanted. We wanted to make her dream come true. We hope she’s looking down at us with pride,” said Nortjè.
Passmore was a passionate swimming instructor whose dream was to teach every child, no matter their age or financial status, how to swim.
“It was Cally’s passion that every child be taught this incredible skill that saves lives. We lost her in May unexpectedly. This gala was something we had been discussing, where we were going to do a learn to swim fun event.”
Nortjè said she was delighted with the attendance, adding that swimming was an important life-saving skill that could prevent incidents of drowning.
“We had 294 swimmers and 10 parents and babies entries. We teach babies from four months old to the age of 15. Swimming is a life-saving skill. There have been unfortunate incidents of drowning. If we can train them from that age, we could save lives.”
Overlooking the Bullfrog Pan, the swimming pool was a hive of activity as students from seven swimming schools, including schools from Ennerdale, Brakpan and Kempton Park, took turns as they competed in different disciplines in the eight-lane, 25m pool.
Young Caleb Vandeberg from Kempton Park said the sport was in his blood.
“Swimming is my life. I love the water and winning competitions. Seeing all my peers here today is exciting and shows how important the sport is,” he said.
Although he doesn’t have a favourite swimmer, he said he wants to emulate the likes of Chad le Clos and Cameron van der Bergh and win an Olympics and FINA world championships gold medal for South Africa.
“The Olympics are a dream. I also want to swim in the world championships and win a medal for the country.”
Nortjè thanked sponsors including, Fine Line Lasering, Farrarmere Hair Bar and Pinnacle College, for ensuring the event was a success.
“We have been incredibly blessed that we had people come forward to sponsor us. We have also been lucky that we had a positive response from swim schools that have entered.
“It was all in honour of a special lady who was a huge part of the swimming, dancing and social scene in Benoni.”
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