Teen swimmer shatters her own Midmar Mile record by 8 minutes
Sarah van Schalkwyk made a splash in the competitive swimming arena, slashing nearly eight minutes off her time in the Midmar Mile.
Fourteen-year-old Sarah van Schalkwyk, from Brescia House School, made her mark in the competitive swimming world by completing her second Midmar Mile, with an inspiring time improvement of nearly eight minutes from her previous swim.
Swimming has been an integral part of Sarah’s life since she was six months old, thanks to her Granny’s belief in the essential life skill of swimming.
As she reflects on her journey, Sarah said: “Swimming has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, and I owe that gratitude to my Granny.”
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Motivated by her family’s competitive spirit, both of her parents are Midmar veterans, Sarah was inspired to join her father on his 21st swim. Hence, making her debut in the esteemed event in 2023.
“My initial motivation for doing my first Midmar was to swim with my dad. After a break last year, we both decided to participate again, in 2025. Now it’s going to be an annual tradition for us,” she said.
In preparation for this year’s Midmar Mile, Sarah focused on enhancing her fitness and stamina through a combination of club swimming and school training.
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“I worked on covering more distance in the pool, since my goal this year was more than just finishing. I aimed to improve my stroke and breathing technique while maintaining a steady pace,” Sarah said.
She added that she faced a new challenge as she swam the mile alone for the first time. “Having to navigate on my own, and stay on course, was a different experience. I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it.
“I was equally as tired as my previous swim when I finished, but this time I felt a profound sense of accomplishment for swimming solo, and making such significant improvements to my time.”
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Drawing on her love for water and the thrill of self-improvement, Sarah continues to set ambitious goals for herself in her swimming career. “I want to work on improving my times and participate in more open-water events. As a swimmer, you always want to get better.
“This event has taught me about preparation, perseverance, and the importance of maintaining focus on my goals. Whether reaching the finish line, achieving a specific time, staying calm under pressure, being aware of my surroundings, or finding my own path during the race, they were all crucial skills I developed,” she concluded.
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