The Pinnacle Gryphons Aquatic Club swimmer Araya de Waal is gearing up to compete at the Treviso Swimming Cup in Italy, on June 27 and 28.
Araya, a Pinnacle College Rynfield Grade 11 learner, will represent Eastern Gauteng Aquatics (EGA) on a tour. This tour will expose her to elite competition and world-class training.
She specialises in breaststroke and individual medley, with her strongest performances in longer distances.
“This kind of opportunity does not come around often,” she said.
Araya comes from a sporting family. Her brother Cayde, studying at Indian Hills College in the USA, is a middle-distance runner.
He recently received a silver medal in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region 11 Indoor Championships after clocking 02:28.61 in the 1 000m.
Her father, Jared, is a level three national middle and long-distance coach who has guided several athletes, including Benoni Matthew Pietrouisti, to several national schools and club championships.
“Cayde has proven that talent, determination and the right opportunities can lead to success on the world stage. Now, it is her turn to follow in Cayde’s footsteps,” Jared said.
Along with her EGA teammates, the Brakpan resident will get a chance to be trained by world-class coaches at swimming camps in Pesaro and Reggio Emilia.
She will also get to experience the cultural and sporting opportunities in cities like Venice, Bologna and Rome.
“It will give me the experience and confidence of not only competing at a higher level but also a taste of the travelling aspect and exposure to the life of a professional swimmer after I finish school,” added Araya.
For Araya to reach her dream, she must raise R45 000 to cover travelling costs, accommodation and entry and training camp fees.
Jared has launched a BackaBuddy fundraising campaign and urges the community to help her daughter make her dream a reality.
Donate via www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/support-arayas-dream-help-her-compete-in-italy
Also Read: Help swimmers to make a splash in Italy
