Fitness, fun and fellowship meet

Swimmers compete in the Masters Swimming Championships.

March 25, 2020

Melissa Hart 1 minute read

A swimmer races through the water in the men’s freestyle relay at the Masters Swimming Championships at Delville Swimming Pool on Friday. Photo by: Leigh Hodgson.

Masters swimmers from across the country descended on Delville Swimming Pool to participate in the Masters Swimming Championships recently.

This year celebrated the 36th championships and 406 swimmers participated from all over the country.

Swimmers splashed into the pool in Delville between March 11 and 14 and then took to the water in an open water swim at Arrowe Park in Benoni on March 15.

The GCN caught up with Allen Morrison, one of the founder members of the championships, on Friday at the pool.

Morrison, who attended Primrose Hill Pre-Primary for a year in his youth, moved with his family to Margate and now lives in London in the United Kingdom.

“We set up the championships with representatives from all the regions prior to 1985,” said Morrison.

“It was started for both the social and the competitive aspect and it is a great opportunity for people to meet and mix together.

“Our creed is fitness, fun and fellowship.”

He added that he has known some of the swimmers for over 55 years.

Swimmers do not have to qualify to compete in the championships.

If you are a swimmer you can compete.

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Both disabled and able-bodied people compete together.

The youngest swimmer registered in this year’s event was 20 and the oldest entrant was 95.

Also swimming this year were former Olympic swimmers, world championships gold medallists, South African champions and provincial swimmers.

Every year the championships take place in a different location and next year it will be in Cape Town.

“We rotate to promote swimming, particularly masters swimming, around the country,” said Owen van Renen, South African Masters Swimming (SAMS) committee member.

Brian Whistler, from Masters Eastern Gauteng Aquatics (MEGA), said, “I believe swimming has a redemptive quality.

“It doesn’t matter if you are fast or slow just getting out there is redemptive.

“Just get out there and participate.”

Having fun at the Masters Swimming Championships at Delville Swimming Pool on Friday are, back: Danny Vile (Masters Eastern Gauteng Aquatics – MEGA), Christine van Rooyen (MEGA), Christo Enslin (aquatics facilities manager) and Brian Whistler (MEGA). Front: Cheryl Knight (Eastern Gauteng Aquatics – EGA president), Shirley Leech (EGA administrator), Tara Barkley (EGA convenor), Gillian Roets (EGA) and Margot Vile (EGA).

Enjoying the Masters Swimming Championships at Delville Swimming Pool on Friday are Brian Whistler (Masters Eastern Gauteng Aquatics), Allen Morrison (founder member of the championships) and Owen van Renen (South African Masters Swimming committee member).

Masters Swimming Championships.Masters Swimming Championships.

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Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor) germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za, Leigh Hodgson (News Editor) leighh@caxton.co.za or Busi Vilakazi (Journalist) busiv@caxton.co.za.

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