KIRSTEN De Goede is Kloof Senior Primary School’s SPAR Star of the Month.
At the school’s inter-house gala, she swam in the 400m long distance freestyle, 50m butterfly, 50m backstroke, 50m freestyle and 100m individual medley. She broke each of the records and came tie with past pupil, Erin Gallagher’s, 50m freestyle record.
Her favourite stroke is still butterfly and her weekly training regimen includes 30km of swimming over a period of six swimming sessions, each consisting of one and a half hours. Added to that she also takes part in medicine ball training twice a week for 30 minutes .
Before the end of last year she competed in the SA Schools Swimming Competition, taking part in four races, 100m butterfly, 50m breaststroke, 200m individual medley and 50m butterfly – taking the top spot for each race. “It is at a higher altitude and the year before I got sick, so I was a little bit nervous it would happen again this year. It was exciting though as I was able to compete against faster competitors, many of whom I had never swum against before. It was really nice. I made a few friends up there and we swapped our KZN shirts with the other provinces,” said Kirsten.
On her days off, Kirsten studies or attends galas. “I am really hoping to attend the Olympics when I am 17 and from there study actuarial science.
At the interhouse gala, Kirsten swam against her idol, Erin Gallagher in a fun race. “We swam 50m butterfly and I was so close behind her and it was jsut so much fun. It is nice to see that I am breaking swimming records, it is exciting to know that my training is paying off and that I am getting better and one step closer towards my goal,” said Kirsten,.
