Uplands welcomes Penny Heyns
Uplands College was fortunate enough to host Penny Heyns over the weekend of October 5 and 6, when she delivered a two-day coaching clinic to approximately 40 swimmers.
As an international star, Heyns established herself as the world’s greatest female breaststroker of the 20th century by becoming the only
woman in Olympic history to win both the 100- and 200-metre breaststroke events in Atlanta 1996, bronze in Sydney 2000 and by breaking
14 individual world records during her career.
The clinic comprised technical sessions in and out of the pool focusing on all four strokes as well as their starts and turns. They received individual attention from Heyns, and all commented that they really gained a lot from the sessions.
She did, however, offer more than just her technical expertise as swimmers, aged 11 to 18, were engaged and inspired as she spoke of her journey from a small-town South African swimmer to a world icon.
She spoke of the mental toughness, positive mind frames and dedication
required for success and encouraged the pupils to value sportsmanship and
personal growth over medals and prizes.
Her motto, “swim your own race” pushes kids to become accountable and develop their own inner drive towards accomplishment.
“I am sure the highlight for most of the swimmers, however, was getting to wear Heyns’ three Olympic medals and pose for a photo with the “greatest female breaststroker of all times,” said marketing manager of Uplands,
Bev du Preez.
The weekend was a huge success, and we look forward to welcoming her back to the Lowveld in the not-too-distant future.
