The Vryheid Swimming Club continues to be a beacon of aquatic excellence, showcasing remarkable talent and community spirit with swimmers of all ages being nurtured.
With a legacy of dedication and a recent string of achievements, the club is proving that small-town determination can lead to big-time success.
This year, the club has continued to build on its momentum and has geared up for another competitive season. With new talent emerging and veterans setting the pace, the club is poised to make more waves.
“We’re proud of where we’ve been and excited for what’s ahead,” said a club spokesperson. “Vryheid may be small, but our swimmers have big dreams.”
At the Level 3 & 2 gala held in Richardsbay from March 26 to April 2, Vryheid swimmers again displayed their excellence – proof of a season of hard work.
The gala attracted 24 different clubs from across the region, various provinces, and even international participants from across Africa, providing a platform for swimmers to compete at the highest level.
The gala featured a range of events categorized under Level 3 & Level 2 standards and age categories as set by Swimming South Africa. Swimmers had to achieve specific qualifying times, to be able to swim at the Level 3 or Level 2 gala.
In Level 3, faster times are required than in level 2.

Vryheid Swimming Club sent out strong swimmers, who competed in multiple events and they returned the following results:
Level 3 swimmers:
Carli Eybers u/13 (50m Free – Silver, 50m Back – Silver, 50m Fly – Gold, 100m Back – Bronze)
Leandri Grobler u/15 (50m & 200m Breast – 4th, 100m Breast & 50m Fly – 6th)
Ashley Loch u/17 (50m Fly – Goud, 50m & 100m Back – Gold, 50m Free – Silver)
Reinhard Meyer u/14 (PB time on 50m Breast)
Nadelija Pillay u/12 (100m Free – Gold, 100m Back – Silver, 50m Free – Silver, 200m Breast – Silver, 50m Back – Gold)
Marnus Pretorius u/14 (100m Fly – Silver, 100m Free- Bronze and 50m Fly – Bronze)
Jessica Steyn u/11 (100m Breast – Gold, 200m Breast – Silver, 50m Breast – Bronze)

Michael Steyn u/113 (100m & 200m Breast – Bronze)
Kaylie van der Linde u/11 (100m Fly – Bronze)

Level 2 swimmers:
Micke de Jager u/16(50m Breast- Bronze, 100m Free – Silver, 50m Fly – Silver, 50m free – Bronze)
Petrus Eybers u/10 (Personal best time 50m Breast & 100m Free)
Izelda Meyer u/11 (200m Breast – 9th)
Richelle Rothman u/16( 50m Breast – Silver, 100m Free – Bronze, 50m Back – Silver, 100m Breast – Gold and 200m Breast – Gold)
Charissa Volschenk u/17 (50m Fly – Silver, 100m Breast – Silver, 200m Breast – Bronze, 50m Free – Bronze)
Estiaan Weitz u/10 (100m Fly – 6th)
Kara Willemse u/11 (200m IM – 8th, 200m Free – 9th, 50m Fly – 10th
The supporters and coach praised the swimmers for their dedication, noting that many had trained tirelessly in Vryheid’s cooler waters to prepare for these qualifying galas.
These galas also served as a stepping stone for those swimmers aiming to qualify for higher-level galas next season which starts in October and runs to February.
With several personal bests and medals in hand, the Vryheid swimmers left Richards Bay with their heads held high and ready to build on their success.
For now, the Vryheid Swimmers can bask in the glow of a successful outing in Richards Bay where they proved that hard work, talent and team spirit can lead to remarkable results.

For those looking to dive in, the club welcomes new members and supporters alike. Whether it’s cheering from the stands or hitting the water, the Vryheid Swimming Club proves that in this tight-knit community, every stroke counts.

#for the love of swimming

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The news provided to you in this link comes to you from the editorial staff of the Vryheid Herald, a sold newspaper distributed in the Vryheid area.