The South African National Open Water Championships are held annually in Jeffrey’s Bay, and St Dunstan’s learner Shane Ramsay (13) won the 3km u-13/14 age category in a time of 37:41, placing 11th overall.
He also swam the 5km in a time of one hour and four minutes, ending sixth in the u-16 category, swimming against the European champion and national swimmers.
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“This is my second year of participation in the event where top swimmers come from across the country to participate,” said Ramsay.
“I qualified for the Eastern Gauteng Aquatics team in both the 3km and 5km events. To qualify you normally need to participate in at least two swimming South African accredited open water events and achieve a qualifying time of 48 minutes for a 3km and one hour and 15 minutes in a 5km.
“The 3km event is basically a sprint, I am pleased to have achieved gold in this event in a personal best time. My previous best was 39:18 minutes, which I swam at the Capital K at Midmar Dam in November.”
During his current swimming year to qualify for the nationals, Ramsay participated in the PE swim series held in Jeffrey’s Bay and achieved a one hour, nine minutes and one hour, seven minutes respectively in these 5km events.
He then did the Aquatics Gauteng Qualifier held at Victoria lake, where he swam the 5km in one hour and nine minutes.
“This year was the first time I qualified to swim the 5km event at nationals, as previously I was too young,” explained Ramsay.
Last year, when taking part in the nationals, Ramsay achieved fourth place in the 3km event (u-13/14 age category). Based on this achievement, he was selected for the SA squads.
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“Unfortunately, due to Covid-19, there was little chance for participation in any international events, but we did do some training camps,” he said.
This Boksburg Aquatic Saints swimmer will be participating in the SA Junior Nationals which, due to Covid, will take place regionally in Delville from April 25 to 28.
“Looking forward, I would like to do the Robben Island crossing again in July and maybe one or two ocean swims before the open water swimming season for the dam’s kicks into gear,” he concluded.
