Recreational gala event exposes swimmers to competition [GALLERY]
Swimming aggressively to the finish line.
Superfins Swimming Club hosted a recreational gala event on February 11 which was sponsored by the Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture, and Recreation.
“The idea was to invite the developing clubs so that we can give them the opportunity to partake in competition. Many of the swimmers from these clubs just practice year-round but never gets the opportunity to prove themselves in gala events so this is how this idea came about.
“I mean it is really not nice to just practice for something and then not get the opportunity to showcase what you have been training for,” said Chairman of the Superfins, Nathan Scheepers. The event was hosted at the Coronationville Swimming Pool.
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According to Scheepers, this gala was not the traditional gala’s but instead, it consisted of races such as kicking board races, pool noodle races, 25-meter races.
Most of the clubs who attended were from non-traditional swimming areas’ and the age group of participants were from ages 6 to 16 years old. The clubs that were involved were the Superfins, Mogale City, Cosmos City, Shoshanguve, Ekhurhuleni, Eldorado Park, Attridgeville, and Kagiso’s swimming club.
“I would say that they highlight of this event was that there were more girls who showed interest in the sport. Normally, it’s rare to find so many girls in swimming. Another thing that surprised us was the turnout, we had about 130 swimmers and about 100 adults attending the gala,” said Scheepers.
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Scheepers also mentioned that although they wanted to expose competition to the swimmer, the day was also meant to emphasize fun.
“It was a beautiful day, it just gives hope to see that children are interested in swimming, we know that it’s a challenge to find facilities in our communities but it’s not that our children don’t want to swim it’s the fact that the sport isn’t supported,” said Scheepers.
He then went on to add that the communities need to create an environment for swimming and then build the interest in our areas.
“We need to stop thinking that it is a white man’s sport,” concluded Scheepers.
Medals were given to swimmers who came first, second, and third place and the chairman said that he would give the gala a 7/10 ratio.
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