Benoni Mega swimmers take part in the Gauteng Masters Short

Three Benoni Masters Eastern Gauteng Aquatics (Mega) swimmers recently took part in the Gauteng Masters Short Course Championships in JHB.

The results were as follows:

• Stephanie de Beer (67) placed first in 25m backstroke, second in 50m freestyle, first in 50m backstroke and first in 25m breaststroke.

• Brigitte Thysse (31) placed first in 25m butterfly, 25m backstroke, 100m backstroke, 25m backstroke sprint events and second place in 25m freestyle and the 50m breaststroke events.

• Manfred Tepper (67) hit the water again after 40 years, competing in the 200m IM, 100m backstroke and 400m freestyle claiming first place in every race.

Tepper said, “I am really satisfied with my times. Competing in this event gave me a feeling of gratification towards all the training I have done since I retired.”

According to Brigitte Thysse, marketing and PR representative for the club, the pandemic has resulted in many galas being completely cancelled or postponed. This has put a damper on her spirit as well as many other swimmers’.

“The lockdown levels ultimately define what can and cannot take place. This event was one of the first to take place since the pandemic hit,” explained Thysse.

Her love for swimming started at six years old and she competed until the end of her varsity career in 2012.

“When I started my work career, swimming went on the back burner and I always felt that something was missing,” she explained.

“When I discovered masters swimming and training, a piece of me fell back into place.”
For Thysse, being a masters swimmer motivates her more from a mental aspect rather than a physical one.

“Swimming and being under the water releases endorphins that maintain a positive mindset and reduces stress,” she explained.

“It allows me to gain perspective amid the chaos and uncertainty we have around us. Water is my safe space.

“The competitive edge will always be a part of me, so my aim in every race is to improve my personal best times no matter where I finish,” she explained.

“Masters swimming creates a foundation of galas and openwater swims for ‘older’ (29 years and up) swimmers that still want to be competitive and race. It also allows people who are not so competitive to either enjoy the ‘rush’ of racing or simply socialise with fellow swimmers.

“There is a huge passion for swimming that runs through the Mega team. We motivate each other, and turn swimming from an individual sport into a fun and exciting team sport.”

Christine van Rooyen, chairperson of Mega, said:

“When the pandemic hit, we had just finished the 36th South African Masters Swimming Long Course Nationals.

“Little did we know it would take about six months before we could take to the water again, with a lot of rules and regulations attached.

“Our regional swimming bodies in Gauteng, EGA and CGA, worked hard to get swimming back to some form of normality. This included assisting swim schools and clubs to be compliant with the regulations so that lessons and training could resume and hosting the ‘new normal’ galas with limited swimmers and officials and no spectators.

“A lot of work was done in the background to get everything in place to be compliant and safe and all swimmers (age group children, their parents and masters alike) are grateful that we can practice and participate again in the sport we love.”

Anyone looking to join the Mega team may contact van Rooyen on 082 924 0364.

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