Local swimmers set to finish off the season well
With several of Swimming South Africa (SSA) regional and national competitions set to take place in April, as well as the SA National Youth and Senior National Championships just around the corner many local swimmers will working hard to meet the requirements to compete.
More than 200 swimmers from 28 clubs and schools participated in the Mpumalanga Age Group Gala at Van Riebeeck Park last weekend.
According to Emile van Veenhuyzen, president of Mpumalanga Province Swimming this gala, the fifth in the series, played a critical role in allowing participants to record official event times needed to qualify for the various national level competitions which will be taking place at the end of the 12-month swimming season.
“Age group galas are also critical for race training, since a swimmer can only gain critical racing experience during a competition. More advanced swimmers and coaches also use this opportunity to determine the progress of the swimmer and if changes are required in the swimmer’s training programme,” he said.
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“To date, 15 athletes have qualified for SSA Junior Nationals, seven swimmers for SA youth nationals and six swimmers for SA senior nationals,” said Van Veenhuyzen.
Van Veenhuyzen added that professionals from Mpumalanga will participate in the SA National Open Water Championships in Jefferys Bay on April 2 and 3.
He added that Giano dos Santos and Jordyn Minifie, who have both performed very well this season, have achieved SA senior national qualifying times despite still being youth swimmers.
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“Various up-and-coming swimmers have also excelled during the season and especially promising youngsters Brooklyn Croxon (13), Timara Froneman (10) and Miela Banza (8),” he said.
Lowvelders can look forward to seeing the best level one swimmers from across Mpumalanga compete in the SSA Level One Provincial Gala on March 10.
“The SSA level one gala is a critical pathway identified by SSA to serve as entry level into organised competitive swimming,” he concluded.
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