Secunda swimmer makes waves at SA School Sports Championships
Wian Koekemoer competed in the 100m and 200m freestyle events, as well as the 50m, 100m and 200m breaststroke races, and the 100m backstroke.
Thirteen-year-old swimmer Wian Koekemoer recently represented Mpumalanga at the SA School Sports Championships Gala held in the Western Cape as part of the Mpumalanga South Africa Schools Swim Squad.
Wian competed in the 100m and 200m freestyle events, as well as the 50m, 100m and 200m breaststroke races, and the 100m backstroke.
He achieved four personal best times out of his six events and also formed part of the 200m freestyle relay team, which finished in the top 10.
He is the first swimmer from Aqua Adventure Swim Club to be selected for the championships.
Level three swimmers from the club attended a Penny Heyns Breaststroke Clinic at Edenvale High School hosted by Dragons Aquatics on May 3.
Swimmers who attended the clinic included Rhuwan Welthagen and Braam Koekemoer from Hoërskool Secunda, and Wian Koekemoer from Laerskool Secunda.
The club, established in 2020, continues to grow and trains swimmers aged 6 to 16, as well as adults competing in open-water events.
Since launching its gala swim coaching programme, swimmers from the club have achieved qualifying times for SSA Levels competitions, interprovincial meets and provincial squads between 2023 and 2026.
Competitive swimmers train throughout the year, with short breaks during school holidays.
The current mid- to high-season training period runs from May to July, with swimmers preparing for the Winter Championships at the end of July and into August. During the gala, the interprovincial squad that will compete against Limpopo athletes will be announced.
This period is also important for swimmers aiming to achieve qualifying times for SA Levels and junior squads.
The swimmers at Aqua Adventure Swim Club are coached by head swim coach Riana Bezuidenhout. Her husband, Fanie Bezuidenhout, is the Swim Club manager and district manager for swimming in Gert Sibande.
For more information, email infoaaswimclub@gmail.com
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