Putting adrenaline into swimming

In its first season, Aqua Adrenaline has grown from strength to strength.

Many hours of dedication and commitment from swimmers, parents and coach, Grace Filipe, paid off during the South African regional and national championships in March.

Swimmers, Sheryl-Anne Grobler and Minette Janse van Vuuren qualified for the nationals.

Despite having to undergo two operations on her hip and leg during the season, Sheryl-Anne qualified through the SA Open Water Championships earlier this year.

Minette qualified after the National Level 3 Championships in Port Elizabeth.

“Swimmers from all over South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Namibia participated in this gala,” said club spokesperson, Emsie van der Merwe.

Minette qualified for two finals, from five events she competed in.

She achieved a fourth place in the 50 metre free style for under-13 girls, a seventh place in the 100m free style for u-13 girls.

This accomplishment is a first for a Newcastle swimmer, Mrs van der Merwe added.

In addition to the phenomenal performance by Aqua Adrenaline swimmers, six club members qualified for the SA Regional Level 2 Gala, held in Durban last weekend.

Results for this event are as follows:

Ruben Nortje – qualified for five finals and won three individual gold medals, and one bronze as part of the relay team.

Vanessa van der Merwe – qualified for four finals and won a silver and bronze individual medal, plus a bronze with the relay team.

Ruan Jansen van Vuuren – qualified for seven finals and won two bronze medals, in addition to a bronze with the relay team.

Danielle Bosman – qualified for one final and won a bronze medal as part of the relay team.

Emma Branco-Lizen – qualified for two finals.

Francois Viviers – qualified for one final.

A highlight of the gala was when 11-year-old Danielle Bosman, part of Aqua Adrenaline’s senior mixed relay team, swam a brilliant fly against young men of 17 and 18 years old.

As a result, the team won a bronze medal.

“This is a great achievement for this young relay team!”

A total of 16 swimmers of Aqua Adrenaline qualified for the SA Regional Level 1 Championships, also held last weekend in Durban.

Results are as follows:

FC Scholtz qualified for six finals, winning two silver and a bronze individual medal, plus a gold medal with his relay team.

Graham Whitehead qualified for five finals and won a silver and a bronze individual medal, and a gold as part of the relay team.

Lanhel du Preez – qualified for four finals, earning a bronze medal, plus another bronze with the relay team.

Ingrid Groenewald – qualified for four finals, winning two bronze medals with the relay team.

LJ van Staden – qualified for two finals, and won three golds as part of the relay team.

Gerian Kock – qualified for two finals, and earned three gold medals with the relay team.

Dominique Nortje – qualified for two finals, and achieved two bronze medals as part of her relay squad.

Anzelle de Jager – qualified for two finals, and won a bronze medal with the relay team.

Ellene Scholtz – qualified for one final, plus a bronze with the relay team.

Chrisme Grobler – qualified for one final.

Lianka Grobler – won two bronze medals as part of the relay team.

Dane van der Merwe – won a bronze medal with her relay team.

Clarisse Whitehead – won a bronze as part of her relay team.

Lara Groenewald – won one bronze medal with the relay team.

Xander Groenewald also qualified to participate.

Special mention was made of Dane Kotze, who qualified for the gala, but could not compete due to a serious back operation she had undergone.

“All the best to Dane – may you recover perfectly so that we have you back in the pool next season.”

The Aqua Adrenaline stars were definitely the senior (13 to 16 years) boys relay team, which took home three gold medals – well done!

Coach, Grace Filipe extended her thanks to a number of people.

She thanked all swimmers and parents who had contributed to the season’s success, and to her husband, Paul and daughters, Wendy and Sabrina for their ongoing support.

“Above all, thank you to the Lord for His hand of protection, and for surrounding us with his love and giving us talents. May we, in turn, be kind, grateful and humble.”