70-year-old swimmer shines

At the age of 70, Ridgeview Retirement Village resident Maureen Mons remains an inspiration for her prowess in the swimming pool and open waters.

Maureen, who joined La Como Fitness Club in 2020, recently took part in the South African Masters Championships in Cape Town in the70 to 74 years age category.

She obtained six gold medals: 400m individual medley (00:07:27), 200m individual medley (00:03:28), 800m freestyle (00:12:48), 400m freestyle (00:06:17), 200m freestyle (00:03:00) and 50m butterfly (00:00:42).

She broke three South African records in the 400m individual medley, 800m freestyle and 400m freestyle.

Her 65-year-old brother, Michael Semple, also impressed at the SA Masters Champs. He won six gold medals and broke six South African records and has also achieved his SA masters colours.

“I’m over the moon about my results. I didn’t expect to bring home six gold medals,” said Maureen.

She started swimming at the age of nine when asked to join the Boksburg North Swimming Club by the then coach, Doreen Templeman.

Her parents, Gordon and Isabel Semple, ignited her love for swimming.

“I always loved swimming and our entire family is into swimming. My parents were our big encouragement. It wouldn’t have been possible without their support. They took my brother and I to the pools and were always there for us,” she said.

By the age of 13, Maureen was competing competitively on a provincial level, taking part in six Currie Cup Championships (South African Senior Champs) until she finished school.

Encouraged to do a Midmar Family Swim in 2010, was the start of a love for open-water swimming.

“Meeting up with a friend, we competed as teenagers for our respective provinces. She introduced me to masters’ swimming, where I joined Phoenix Club,” said Maureen.

The swimmer competed in masters since 2014 at 63 years, and in 2016 she was awarded her SA masters colours.

Another highlight of her career was when she broke the South African record at the Tshwane Championships for 1 500m freestyle last year. Furthermore, Maureen started teaching and coaching in 1976 and coached at clubs like Brakpan Club, Benoni Northern Areas Club, Colin Mann Primary School and Martin Primary School. She also started Maureen’s Swim School.

“I also coached former Olympic swimmer and Princess of Monaco Charlene when she was 10. She is such a lovely person,” said Maureen.

Her daughters, Debbie and Michelle, also swam provincially. Mons said having a goal is her secret to success.

She works hard on her swimming and trains four days a week at La Como Fitness Club. Maureen said she looks up to people in their 70s, 80s and 90s who still swim.

“I admire them. Swimming is also good for older people. It gives them a sense of achievement,” she added.
Her advice to aspiring swimmers: “Exercise, swim, have a goal. You must have something to work towards when you wake up in the morning.”

Maureen will never put away her swimming costume, adding she wants to do a lot of open-water swimming in the future.

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