Novice competitive swimmer makes waves at tourney
Monica was the youngest female swimmer at this swim meet.
Toti swimmer Monica Botha (7), competing in the 10-years-and-under events, returned top times at the Arena KZN Prestige swim tournament at the Kings Park short course (25m) outdoor pool from 5 to 9 July.
Swimmers from all over South Africa flocked to Durban for this event since the Sasol winter champs was cancelled, leading to an event with 660 swimmers.
Monica registered with the Seagulls Swimming Club from 1 May and was the youngest female swimmer at this swim meet.
She started swimming when she was six as therapy to ease her asthma and surprised everybody last year when she won and swam excellent times at fun galas in Toti.
As a result she has been registered with KZN swimming as a level 1 swimmer without having competed in any big events.
“The purpose of the KZN Prestige swim tournament was for Monica to both gain experience in swimming heats and to record her times in the KZN database,” said her mother, Marinda Stuiver.
Monica braved the cold weather and swam the following times in her heats without disqualification: 50m backstroke – 46.24; 50m breaststroke – 52.12;
50m freestyle – 42.06; 50m butterfly – 46.25; 200m individual medley – 3.39.53; 100m backstroke – 1.44.33; 100m breaststroke – 1.58.13 and 100m Freestyle – 1.31.42.
“Having competed in her first big event as a level 1 swimmer, we feel comfortable Monica is now on the right path at the right time to enjoy her natural talent as a swimmer,” said Marinda.
