Calvin hoping to break junior world record in Adelaide

JUST four days after returning from Australia having represented the South African junior team at the Lifesaving World Championships (LWC) in Adelaide, Durban North Resident, Calvin Coetzee will be on national duty again at the Youth Africa Swimming Champs in Botswana.

The 18-year-old has featured prominently in the national stillwater teams at various events in the last 11 months, including representing the country at the German Cup and then the Orange Cup.

Though the LWC will be his first world champs, Coetzee said he is looking forward to pushing for a world record and doing the country proud. He will be competing in the 200 metres obstacle, 50 metres mannequin, and 100 metres combined for the stillwater competition and then the surf swim in the beach section of the competition.

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“At the moment I have the fastest time in the world for the 50 metres mannequin and 200 metres obstacle races and I’m close to breaking the junior world record. I feel with that knowledge, there is a little bit of pressure on me to excel but pressure is good in situations like this. My goal would be to win the events but to equal or break the record would be the cherry on top,” the Suncoast Pirates Surf Lifesaving Club said.

Coetzee, a Clifton College learner, said the vibe among the junior team has helped them bond extremely well.

“We are all very close and I think that helps with team morale. That counts when it comes to giving each other support before and during competition time and I think the other competitors have underestimated how well the team has prepared for these champs,” he said.

Following the conclusion of the world champs, Coetzee will use his time to train down under for the youth Africa champs in Botswana.

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