Swimming to the top

The beginning of the year saw Charterhouse Schools’ swimming team join the Johannesburg North Schools League after bidding farewell to the Private Schools League.
The change of league now allows the swimming team to compete in new events, new age groups and to swim against new competitors.
“To be a squad swimmer requires a distinct dedication and commitment, not only towards skill in the water, but also a balanced participation in other extra-curricular activities. Often swimmers have to choose wisely as it is difficult to attend to both,” said the team’s swimming coach, Wayne Dugmore.
According to Dugmore, the Charterhouse swimmers have proven to have commitment and dedication. In the first term, in the individual races, the team ranked 17th out of 40 schools. “This after participating in only three out of the five galas due to bad weather. The team consistently achieved second or third place,” said Dugmore.
“The Charteronian spirit did not subside and the team trained even harder for the term four team races.”
Out of the four galas for the term, Charterhouse placed first in two of the galas and came in a narrow second and third place for the remaining two galas. At the end of the season, the Charterhouse Schools swimming team ranked third in their league. “It was especially satisfying for us as newcomers,” Dugmore exclaimed.
The coaches, Dugmore, Natalie Pearl and Lara Calderare, are eager to continue working with the swimming team and see where their talent takes them next year.