Young swimmers demonstrated their swimming savvy at the Linrand Swimming Club on 1 November for the 27th Lindrand Mini’Lympics Gala.
The aptly named ‘Mini’s’ has attracted thousands of little swimmers through the years from all across Gauteng and has fast gained momentum. Through this unwavering force, it can attest to have been the starting point of quite a number of prolific South African swimmers.
Penny Quinlan, head coach at the club based at Linden Swimming Pool, started as a-learn-to-swim teacher and later became a coach with a career spanning over 20 years. She said that it was an open gala, which meant that it invited all swimming schools in Gauteng and even children who do not swim for any school. Quinlan also emphasised that the Minis are however, not for novice swimmers.
“The standard of swimming today was excellent, and the event was very successful as the children not only had fun but got to truly understand how the official Olympics are run,” said Quinlan.
The gala attracted close to 20 various swimming clubs and was a roaring success with children ranging between the ages of six and 10 years old. The Mini’s were set to expose the young swimmers to how the official swimming Olympics are run. Linrand spared no measures and compelled the children to dive right into the official splash of things.
Conan Jones, a member of the Linrand committee said that the gala was run as a fully official timed event. So much so that they had three official time keepers per eight lanes.
“For most, if not all these children this is their first experience at an official gala,” said Jones.
The gala brought out the best little swimmers Gauteng has to boast. Everyone who participated placed fourth or more received a ribbon and everyone placed third to first received medals.
Some of the big winners of the event were:
Gabby Manson: three gold, one silver. Junior Victrix Ludorum
Joshua Cooke: three gold medals, one silver and one bronze. Senior Victor Ludorum
Yukino Kashihara: three gold medals and two bronze. Senior Victrix Ludorum
Hikaru Kashihara: two gold medals and two silver medals. Semi-junior Victor Ludorum
Nicholas Vogelzong: two gold medals, two silver. Semi-junior Victor Ludorum.
Related stories:
Linrand’s Mini’Lympics turns out successful
History of Linden Swimming Pool
