HIGHWAY swimmer Kailey Joubert is the only swimmer from KwaZulu-Natal chosen for the South African Open Water Team.

The Grade Nine learner at Curro Hillcrest will be swimming for the South African team at the Africa Aquatics Zone 4 Open Water Swimming Championships in Windhoek, Namibia, from December 4 to 8.

Kailey started swimming at a very young age.

When her parents noticed her passion for swimming, they enrolled her at Aquazone, where they say she truly flourished. She is now swimming under coach Angela Van Heerden in the Performance Gold Squad.

In 2020, at the age of 11, Kailey participated in her first Midmar Mile, swimming for CHOC.

“And that is truly when her love for the open water started,” said her mother, Kim.

She said this year has been a challenging one for her daughter.

“She sprained her elbow at the beginning of the year and, on August 30, underwent surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome in her left wrist. Despite these setbacks, Kailey has fought her way back and is more excited than ever to represent Hillcrest and South Africa!” said a proud mother.

Kailey said that open water swimming captivates her because it combines adventure with endurance.

“Competing in 3km and 5km races has taken me to stunning locations, fuelling my passion for the sport.

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Each stroke I take brings me closer to my Olympic dream, reminding me that with dedication and hard work, anything is possible.

“The thrill of the open water, the challenge of the waves and the beauty of nature keep me motivated and alive, pushing me to reach my full potential,” she said.

Her biggest achievements in Open Water are when she travelled to Jeffreys Bay in 2024 to represent KZN at the SA Open Water and competed in the 3km and 5km races where she placed second in the 3km swim.

She was also the second female in the 1km swim at Capital K in 2023 and finished 21st in the 2024 Midmar Mile in the main event for women aged 14 to 30.

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