Gauteng North’s underwater hockey players excel
Noord Gauteng’s underwater hockey players and fin swimmers won several medals at the recent 2018 South African junior underwater hockey tournament.
A relatively unknown sport was in the spotlight recently when the North West Province Underwater Hockey Association hosted the 2018 South African junior underwater hockey tournament at the Potchefstroom municipal swimming pools.
Six provinces were represented with a total of 32 teams and 281 players. Teams as far away as Western Province and Boland attended.
Some of the country’s top underwater hockey players were at this event, including Gauteng North’s star players.
The tournament started off with the fin swimming event. Fin swimming, related to underwater hockey, is an underwater sport involving swimming with the use of only fins (rubber accessories worn on the feet), no arms involved. This kind of swimming is executed either on the water’s surface using a snorkel or underwater by holding one’s breath for 25m to 50m.
Gauteng North performed exceptionally well in the fin swimming items. The under-19 boys 50 metre relay team took first place, while Francois Marais (under-19) won bronze in both the 50-metre apnea (individual fin swimming) and the 50-metre surface swim.
The under-16 boys relay team won silver in the 50-metre surface relay. In this age category Nicolai Smit won bronze in the 50m surface individual fin swimming.
Sjoukje van der Post (under-14 girls) also won bronze in the girl’s individual fin swimming 25-metre apnea.
Underwater Hockey matches between the various provinces commenced after the fin swimming events.
The Gauteng North under-19 men’s team brought back the silver medal. Showing true Gauteng North spirit, the boys fought into extra time in the final, but had to settle for a 3-4 score against their equally fierce Gauteng Champs team.
The under-19 girls showed true grit and determination to end in fourth place overall.
The under-19 teams set an example for their younger teammates and the under-15 boys worked hard for their overall third place.
Also following in older teammates’ footsteps, the under-13 team fought tooth and nail for their overall third place. Most of the under-13’s competed for the first time in a national tournament.
Most of the senior players took part in the South African trials at the end of the tournament, competing to represent South Africa at the upcoming fifth World age group championship in August in Sheffield, England.
Underwater hockey is a non-contact water sport, played a 25 x 15 x 2m deep pool. Participants only need is a diving mask and snorkel, a pair of fins and a costume, the club will provide the rest of their equipment.
For more information about the sport in Pretoria, phone the North Gauteng junior representative, Nico Bos, on 083-236-8891.
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