Kaylie swims into number one spot in KZN

This past weekend, Kaylie van der Linde took part in the KZN JNR Championships at Kings Park and won five gold medals in age group 8. She swam 50m freestyle, 50m butterfly, 50m backstroke (qualififying for level 2), 50m breaststroke and 100m freestyle, making it to the finals. Kaylie won the KZN Junior Champs 2022 for the Top Performer 8-Year-Old Trophy, putting her in the number one spot in KwaZulu-Natal for her age. It hasn’t always been plain sailing for Kaylie though.

Let’s go back to February 27, 2021, when Kaylie had one more championship gala to go before the end of the season to get her personal best times and qualify for level 2. She missed it and was devastated. She continued to take part in level 1 and ended her season with her personal best times at the age of seven years old. Kaylie turned eight in December 2021.

Kaylie has moved over to Seals Swimming Club / North Coastal Club with Coach Dominique Donner in the new season, with her two siblings, brothers Shane and Keegan van der Linde. They have officially joined Crawford North Coastal and Seals Swimming Club. Kaylie is still training in Vryheid, most of the time with Vryheid Swimming Club coach Denise Grobler.

During the first age group gala in October 2021, Kaylie was determined to get her level 2 again, since she had to swim in the U/10 category to qualify for levels, even though she is only eight years old. Kaylie was determined and motivated to get it though. On October 10, 2021, at the Pietermaritzburg Seals MEET 1 Age Group Gala, Kaylie qualified for level 2 in the 50m butterfly. She was extremely proud to reach her goal with hard work, determination and consistency, which finally paid off!

Kaylie continued to improve on her personal best times. She also competed in the Cana Virtual Swimming Championships in October, Kloof Seagulls Swimming Club AG Championships in November, and EDA AG Gala 4 in January. That brings us to this past weekend and her wonderful achievements! This coming weekend, Kaylie and her two older brothers are swimming for the Seals team in the Midmar to support Seals North Coast coach Dominique Donner, who will swim for The Chad Le Clos Foundation to raise funds to support the amazing programmes of the CLEC Foundation.

Dominique Donner will continue to promote water safety education, teach ‘learn to swim’, identify athletic talent, and give people hope and aspirations to achieve greatness. Every child is a swimmer! We are so proud and wish her all the best for her upcoming events.

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