Local Masters Swimming Club collects bags full of medals at national championship

237 medals. That was the medal harvest for the Coelacanth MSC (Masters Swimming Club) of Pretoria during the 39th National Masters Swimming Championship, which was held last month at the St Stithians College in Randburg.

Swimmers from the Coelacanth MSC returned home with 83 gold, 73 silver and 81 bronze medals from this prestigious championship, which for most of the Masters Swimmers is their annual highlight.

Two of the club’s stalwarts, Harald Ruck and Ingrid Trusler, were specifically honoured for their outstanding achievements at the championship. Ruck received the trophy for best performance. Trusler was named Victrix Ludorum, while she also received the Charles Buck Memorial Award for the True Spirit of Master Swimming. She was also named best open water swimmer above the age of 50.

However, it was not the only success the club had at the championship. To prove that they take their motto of “Training, Swimming, Fun and Socializing” seriously, the members of Coelacanth MSC also won the Spirit Cup during the Championship.

The Coelacanth MSC was founded in 1996 by its first chairman, Terry Downes, to expand Masters Swimming in Pretoria, after the policy of the International Swimming Federation (FINA) on this sports code changed to eliminate provincial governing bodies and only requires clubs at entry level in control of the sport.

The name of the club, “Coelacanths MSC” refers to the Coelacanths fish, an ancient group of lobe-finned fish. The ironic relationship with this fish species, described as “ancient”, was cleverly selected as the club offers a home to Masters Swimmers. However, it is a tongue in cheek name choice, because Masters Swimming as a sports code provide an opportunity for everyone over 25 to participate – at least in human terms not yet “ancient”.

In 2002, the management of the club was entrusted to the couple Derek and Joyce Fyfe. Thereafter, the reins were taken over by Ann Hanson. In this period the club’s membership has grown past 100 swimmers.

Annemarie Dressler was the next chairperson, while one of the club’s star swimmers, Ingrid Trusler, was named new chairperson last year. Meanwhile, the membership has grown further to 150 active swimmers.

Apart from enjoying competitive pool swimming the club actively participates in various open water swims that are held in various parts of the country.

The club also participates annually in South African Masters Swimming’s (Sams) Winter Challenge, which will again be held in August. Swimmers can participate in this on their own in the pool of their choice for the benefit of a local charity.

Then there is also the annual Endurance Relay, which will be presented at a designated 25m pool in Pretoria, while the club will also be responsible for the presentation of the Regional inter-meeting this year, which will take place in November.

In February next year, the club will host the Tshwane Masters Championship at the Hillcrest Pool in Pretoria.

Swimmers over the age of 25 who are interested in joining the Coelacanth Masters Swimming Club are welcome to make inquiries via email at coelacanthsmsc@gmail.com or they can visit the club’s website for more details at https://coelacanthswim.co.za/

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