IT has been a busy year for uMhlanga resident Carryl van Bassen on the local and international scene, both in the pool and in open water.

In March this year, the 60-year-old competed at the World Aquatics Masters Championships in Doha, Qatar. A month later, she took part in the Open Water Swim Mauritius and then, last month she represented the uMhlanga Rocks Surf Lifesaving Club (Rox) at the recent Masters Inter-club World Championships held in Australia, to name a few international events.

That also doesn’t take into account all the local events, including the SA Lifesaving Champs and the SA Masters Swimming Championships where she won multiple medals.

If that wasn’t enough, she also took part in the Oceanman Durban 2km sprint race event a few weeks ago where she placed first in her age group and was the second lady overall in that race.

At the World Aquatics Masters Championships, Van Bassen entered the 3km Open Water race in her age group, 60–69, and placed third.

“The event happens every two years, and it was my first time representing South Africa. The competition was very competitive across age groups. You could say it’s like an Olympics for old people. I also took part in the pool events and placed fifth and sixth in the 50m, 100m and 200m breaststroke events. I attained my personal bests at the champs, which I was quite delighted with. My goal for the pool events was to make the top eight, so that was a highlight for me,” she said.

Speaking on her Open Water Swim Mauritius triumph, Van Bassen said she was blown away by the support.

“In Mauritius, I represented my Synergy Swimming Club in the 3.6km swim from Pereybere to Grand Baie, and I won that in my age group. What I loved, in particular, was the medal we received – it was made out of coconut shells which was incredible. That was just a beautifully scenic swim, and the support was overwhelming,” she said.

Van Bassen has been swimming since the age of 11.

“I received my Springbok Colours for lifesaving at the age of 15, and swimming was always something I loved and enjoyed. I travelled to four world champs in my youth before settling down and having children. Then, about 10 years ago, I decided to come back to swimming, and I have not looked back since. Through my journey, swimming has taken me all over the world. I’m very fortunate that I get to travel and still compete at 60. It is so nice training towards a goal,” she said.

She trains at least twice a day, five times a week.

Her incredible round-the-world trip doesn’t stop there, however, Van Bassen plans on taking part in the Oceanman Dubai race in December.

Next year, she hopes to take part in the UK Masters Lifesaving Champs where she will represent the Gyllyngvase Surf Life Saving Club, and she hopes to take part in the world’s biggest open-water swimming event, the Bosphorus Cross Continental Swim.

Carryl’s incredible international results

• Masters Inter-club World Championships (Australia): She won three medals: Gold in the women’s 100m Manikin Tow with fins (age category 60–64 years), a Silver in the women’s 100m Manikin Carry with fins (age category 60–64 years) and Silver in the women’s Line Throw (age category 50–54 years).
• World Aquatics Masters Championships (Qatar): Placed third in the 3km Open Water Swim event in her age category.
• Open Water Swim Mauritius: Won Gold in the 3.6km swim event in her age category.

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