St Declan’s swimmers take on Midvaal Mile open-water challenge
Seven boys completed either the 600m or 1.6km swim as part of their preparation for Midmar seeding, while Liam and Ethan Dewey earned their half colours for swimming.
Seven young swimmers from St Declan’s School for Boys made a splash at the Midvaal Mile recently, taking on open-water challenges as part of their preparation for Midmar seeding.
The boys stepped out of the familiar swimm8ing pool environment and into open water, where they had to rely on their confidence, courage and determination to complete their respective distances.
Liam and Ethan Dewey, Brendan Shaw and Aaron Dow took on the 600m swim, while Luke Dow, Matthew Urwin and Carter Mattheus challenged themselves with the full one-mile (1.6km) distance. Seven boys, two distances and one big test of grit.
As the school highlighted, open-water swimming presents a different challenge from swimming in a pool. “With no pool lines to follow and no clear view of what lies beneath, it takes courage, confidence and a mindset of determination to take that first stroke and to keep going.”
The experience gave the young swimmers an opportunity to push beyond their comfort zones and demonstrate the perseverance needed to take on a demanding open-water challenge.
There was also special recognition for Liam and Ethan Dewey, who both earned their half colours for swimming in acknowledgement of their hard work and commitment.
Congratulating the boys on their achievements, the school emphasised that success in the water requires more than physical ability. “It takes more than strong strokes to get out there; it takes bravery, perseverance and the willingness to push beyond your comfort zone.”
The school praised all seven swimmers for their efforts, encouraging them to keep challenging themselves and making their school proud. With determination on display across both distances, St Declan’s young swimmers certainly lived up to the school’s message: “Our boys are making waves.”
