13-year-old Brescia House Student finished first Midmar Mile
Gabriella Roelandt made waves in her inaugural Midmar Mile, achieving an impressive finish and igniting her passion for open water swimming.
Thirteen-year-old Gabriella Roelandt recently completed her very first Midmar Mile, finishing an impressive 36th out of 366 swimmers in her category.
As a learner from Brescia House School, Gabriella’s achievement marks a significant milestone in her swimming journey, transitioning from traditional pool swimming to the exhilarating world of open water.
Read more: Teen swimmer shatters her own Midmar Mile record by 8 minutes
Gabriella said her journey to the Midmar Mile began just a few months prior, when she decided to take on the challenge in December 2024.
Switching coaches to Adrian Goete, from Aqua Athlete Club, proved to be a pivotal moment, igniting her passion for open water swimming. “I participated in my first open water seeded race at Prime View and enjoyed it. I immediately entered for the Midmar Mile, just to have fun,” she said.
As the race approached, Gabriella was motivated by her friendships and support network. “For many years I’ve wanted to participate in the Midmar Mile. This year, I had both Brescia House friends and Aqua Athlete Club friends participating with me.”
Nervous but excited, Gabriella faced the start of the event with apprehension. “Positioned in the orange group, my nerves quickly settled as friends provided guidance. Another swimmer accidentally pulled me back by the foot. But I managed to escape and swim my race,” she added.
The weather added an extra layer of difficulty. “The overcast conditions made visibility tough. I had to rely on the swimmers ahead of me and the boats on the side,” Gabriella said.
Despite the hurdles, she persisted, ultimately completing the race in a remarkable time of 00:27:30.
Also read: Redhill School swimmer Lily achieves personal best at Platinum Mile
When Gabriella learned of her placement, she felt a wave of pride wash over her. “I was exhausted, but happy. I wasn’t sure what to expect in this new environment, so, to find out I finished 36th was just fantastic.
“The Aqua Athlete Club, and more experienced swimmers, particularly Clayton Kassebaum and his sister Taylor, were incredibly helpful in showing me around the venue and explaining how to handle the currents.”
Reflecting on her experience, Gabriella shared the valuable lessons learned. “I learned how to handle currents and swim amidst so many swimmers close to me. I also discovered that sometimes you can do more than you think.”
With aspirations to compete in more open water events, Gabriella is enthusiastic about her future in swimming. “I’ve caught the open water bug. I can’t wait to participate again next year. I hope to train more and aim for even faster times, with the dream of qualifying for the SA National Aquatic Championships one day.”
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