GALLERY: A great big splash
RANDPARK RIDGE – Success ripples out from splashes at Aqua Athlete gala.
![](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2016/11/P13100mfreestyle_19275.jpg)
While success swelled up like a big wave at the Aqua Athlete gala at Rand Park Primary School, the swimmers’ enthusiasm did not ebb and flow.
Instead, rapid swimmers maintained bubbly passion as they raced at roaring speeds to win ribbons commemorating their achievements.
![Carl Krause swims in the 200m individual medley event.](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2016/11/P18CarlKrause200mind_35605.jpg)
Aqua Athlete owner, Adrian Goate said 85 swimmers between the ages of four and 20, from the club, the hosting school and nearby areas, competed in breaststroke, freestyle, backstroke, butterfly, the individual medley, and a fun relay on the day.
Gia Lazzari (7) competed in all the categories except the individual medley. “The swimming was great. I like swimming and I love to win. I will definitely come again next time they have a gala,” she said with a grin.
![Wazier and Irshaad Kara swim breaststroke together because they missed their race to get tattoos.](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2016/11/P12WazierandIrshaadK_35520.jpg)
Luke Ziegler (13) participated in breaststroke, freestyle, backstroke and butterfly, and was glad he was the only boy his age, as he had the opportunity to race against older boys.
GALLERY: Aqua Athlete gala at Rand Park Primary School
Indeed, the day was a surging success, according to Goate. “It was wonderful to see swimmers as young as four having the guts to come and dive and do 25m lengths,” he said. “The purpose of the gala was to introduce gala swimming to young swimmers and give the club and local swimmers an opportunity to compete.”
![Olivia Safarikavo (9) competes in the gala.](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2016/11/P22OliviaSafarikavo_24652.jpg)
One of the highlights of the day was when club swimmers and brothers, Wazier and Irshaad Kara had missed their breaststroke race because they apparently went to get tattoos. When they finally arrived at the gala they were made to dance and then race each other for the crowd’s amusement.
At the end of the day, a whopping 64 competitive races were held after which a mixed-age and mixed-gender fun relay concluded the event.
![Rowan Cowper, Adriaan Steyn, Kary Kohles, Wazier Kara, Irshaad Kara, Carl Krause and Caryn Love take a break between races.](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2016/11/P4RowanCowperAdriaa_35819.jpg)