It’s been said good genes run in the family. In the case of the Faddy family of Shelly Beach, these genes swim. And very well, indeed.
There have been many fantastic swimmers to come through the ranks on the South Coast over the years.
However, what the Faddy siblings have achieved, with all three winning their age groups in recent galas at Creston College, is rather special.
Brother JayD and younger sisters Shaylee and Syntachye, who are all members at Margate Swimmig School, have taken to the sport like the proverbial duck to water.
Their achievements have been impressive.
Their dad Daren was a county swimmer in England as a teenager; their paternal grandfather Stephen and maternal grandmother Sheila were also phenomenal swimmers. So, the genes have come down from both families.
JayD is 14 and in Grade 8. He set new records in four strokes, namely 50m freestyle (28.61), 50m breaststroke (38.55), 50m butterfly (34.79) and 50m backstroke (35.31).
He was duly selected to compete at the South Coast champs gala, held at Southcity Christian Schools, where he again did well in the same four strokes.
JayD’s success continued at the KZN trials gala, where he qualified in multiple events, namely in the 100m backstroke (1:19.10), 50m breaststroke (38.89), 50m freestyle (29.81) and 100m freestyle (1:05.94).
His dedication, discipline and passion for the sport continue to pay off, and he is building a reputation as one of the school’s top swimmers.
Middle sibling, Shaylee (11) is in Grade 5 and has also enjoyed a successful season in the pool.
At the interhouse gala, she was the U11 age group winner and Junior Victrix Ludorum.
She went on to compete at the interschool gala, where she placed third in the individual medley.
She recently also competed in the U12 age group at the Durban and Districts Gala, gaining valuable experience at a highly competitive level.
The youngest of the trio, Syntachye (7) is Grade 2. She was named age group winner at the junior primary interhouse gala earlier this term.
She continued her excellent form at the interschool gala, showing great determination, where she placed in the top three in several of her races.
Meanwhile, swimming is not the only passion the Faddy family enjoys. There is football. But this is an interesting one, with Daren supporting Manchester United and mom Nicky Manchester City.
JayD and Shaylee have joined their dad in supporting United, while Syntachye has sided with Nicky in supporting a winning team.
The question remains though, what will dad Daren do if a resurgent United make an important final somewhere along the line and there’s a gala on at the same time?
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