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Aquatic Sports History of southern Africa
The history of swimming and related sports in South Africa, Rhodesia, and South West Africa from 1900 to 2000 and beyond.
The British Empire established a base in the Cape Colony in 1806, to keep Napoleon at bay and to control the Far East trade routes around Africa. The transplanted British colonists imported their culture and norms, including a love for water sports, encouraged locally by the hot Cape summer weather. Sports clubs were established for water polo, swimming, diving and lifesaving activities.
Water festivals held in the Cape Town dry dock were popular entertainment for the Victorians. They also swam and played in rivers and dams and oceans, and built tidal pools and indoor swimming pools. Betting also played a big part in promoting sporting events. When Charteris Hooper became the first man to swim from Robben Island in 1909, he did it to win a bet.
The South African Amateur Swimming Union, with the Western Province and Eastern Province as its founder members, was established in Port Elizabeth, during the Boer War. After the war, the Swimming Union expanded to all parts of the country and Rhodesia.
The youngest person to break senior world record
On the 10th of August, 1965, Karen Muir became the youngest world record holder any time in any sport when she set a new world record in the women's 110-yard backstroke.
At 12 years, 10 months, and 25 days old, swimming in the junior section of the British Swimming Championships in Blackpool, England - because she was too young to compete with the older girls in the open category!
The girl from Kimberley in the Cape had only been swimming for three years, under the guidance of an imported British coach named Frank Gray.
Champions
The various categories of Champions: World record-holders; Olympic, World, or Commonwealth medalists, International stars, Paralympic champions and those who chose to stay - the Local Heroes, while many went into exile to compete abroad.
Aquatic Sports
The history of swimming-related recreational and competitive water sports in southern Africa.
Water festivals included swimming, diving, water polo matches and "fancy swimming", while lifesaving competitions ensured the competence of those responsible for preventing drownings. Swimming-based multisports, like triathlons, are related modern aquatic sports.
South African National Championships
The first championship held by the SAASU was held at Port Elizabeth in 1900. The main event was a water polo competition between Western Province and Eastern Province. The prize was one of the trophies donated by Sir Donald Currie for
Pools and other Places
Locations where people swim. The dams, rivers, oceans, tidal pools, swimming pools - school pools, municipal pools, club pools, dead pools and all the other places where aquatic sports history is made.
Click the arrow on the left to set 10 different categories of pools and places.
Click the square on the right to view the full size map.
Archived guest book
Swim History Guest Book
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| I'm really enjoying the design and layout of your site. It's a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more enjoyable for me to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a designer to create your theme? Exceptional work! [url=http://www.ashadeepaschoolfortheblind.org/Newmangs/]ed hardy tattoo[/url] |
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| I am looking for info on my sister RAEDENE ALLEN who trained under "TUBBY" in Empangeni, pics or info thanks |
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| WP Synchronised swimmers from 1983... (some from before that) got together in Cape Town recently for a reunion. Lara Fortune, Lizander, Elke Krause (featured on your page) Karen de Jong, Monique Biebuyck (Swimmer). Chris Prinsloo (waterpolo) was also there. Great fun catching up news and reminiscing. |
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| Hi, is there perhaps anyone who has pictures of Terry Collard who won a silver medal at the 1938 Empire Games in the 110 yard freestyle? |
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| I believe my Grandfather, James Andrew Shearer from Natal was a SA Diving Champion. It is said it was in the 1950's or earlier. Does anyone have information out there for me please? I would love to share it with my family. |
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| We were in mufulira from 1961 to 1971. Love to hear from anyone who swam with me.I ve still got my beautiful copper tablets stuck on a wooden shield with my age group times engraved on it. I live in australia now and on my bucket list is to take my children to mufulira. We lived in Siwang-andu street. My sister Lindy also lives here in Sydney. |
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| I am trying to find out if a man named Stan Lipschitz was ever a South African Springbok water polo payer - I would appreciate any feedback. |
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| Hello eveyone, I'm trying to track down as many of my father's friends as I can to let them know of his passing. To friends, family and the many long time and much loved associates. My father, Cecil Colwin, passed away at 1:40 AM, June 24th. He went peacefully, with my sister Pauline and I at his bedside. He would have been 86 in August. On behalf of the family I thank you all for the many, many years of support and friendship shared with my Dad. As my father's illness progressed it quickly became evident that the doctor's were not dealing with the average patient. I the last week, after been given a couple days at best, my father was moved to a wonderful Hospice facility. As I sat with him in his new room while he was sleeping, his arm raised up from under the covers and started to practice a freestyle entry! I must tell you it was still flawless. In his own words, he said: "I've had a great run". All the best, Robert Colwin and family. |
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| I did not swim seriously but vcan still remeber some guys in Bloem like Johan Willemse (Backstroke) and Eric Rosenberg (Crawl), those guys could swim. I only did a but of the lifesaving thing. |
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| I used to swimm for Ndola Swimming club in 1965. I was 10 years old at the time. If anyone was there at the time it would be great to hear from you. |
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| For those of us who trained with oom Kobie do watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vp0lZRM9OA0 |
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| 250 static blaai waarin jy niks kan kry nie want daar is soo baie goed dat die kak menus nie goed werk nie; lyk my google se manne moet vir jou 'n soekmasjien skryf. gts |
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| Dear All, It is with great sadness that I have to announce the passing away of my farther, Kobie Louw. He passed away after a long illness on Friday 4 May 2012, one day after his 60th anniversary. His memorial service will be held at Sasolburg on Friday 11 May 2012. His family and many swimmers will dearly miss him. May the Lord bless his soul. Regards, Deon Louw |
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| Oh this is amazing, I have loads of 'stuff' from my swimming days. Will dredge up and submit. |
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| Love the history. |
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| Roy Ainslie was a Border swimmer who died in Simon's Town on 5th September 1940 whilst serving on HMS Cornwall. I am keen to find a photograph of him for a record of the naval servicemen from East London who died in WW2. Your help will be much appreciated. |
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| One of your former coaches was Rudie Spoor. At this moment he would be 80 years of age. Could you please let me know if he is still alive? If your answer is yes, I would very much like to contact him. I'm a distant cousin of him and try to find out some more about Rudies father and uncle who emigrated to S.A. from Holland just before the 2nd World War. I look forward to your reaction. |
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| . . . In addition here is the order of the tour, but I don't have all the dates. If anyone there has time to trawl a few local newspaper archives and maybe send me any related articles, I'd obviously owe them a beer!. Thanks, Mac. Kimberley 28-29/1/25 - Durban - Johannesburg - Benoni - Salisbury - Johannesburg - Maritzburg - East London - Kimberley - Durban - Vitenhage - Bloemfontein - Maritzburg - Boksburg - Bulawayo - Victoria falls - Pretoria - Durban - Bloemfontein - Johannesburg - Port Elizabeth - Capetown 1/5/25 ! |
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| I am writing a biography of my Grandmother, Hilda James of Garston, Liverpool, UK (1904-1982). She was a WR holder at many distances 1920-1925 and Olympic silver medallist at the 1920 games. Hilda was brought to South Africa by the SAASU in 1925 to participate in a major demonstration tour and a series of galas to help publilcise swimming throughout SA and Rhodesia. The tour was 26/1/25-20/3/25 but was so successful it was extended to 1/5/25. She had her 21st birthday during the tour at Stellenbosch on 27/4/25. I have some newspaper articles etc. and a few pictures and certificates, and if anyone is interested I would be pleased to send copies to the site. But I would love to have any more details etc, and any other information that can be supplied. Please help me if you can! thanks a lot, Ian McAllister, Poole, UK. |
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| Great job man - I am going to have a look around for some photos that I have re my swimming days in Rhodesia, Zimbabwe Rhodesia and Natal days......if you are interested let me know. |
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| Hay Kobus howzit bra,you've done an amazing job here,brought back so many memories from when I was a nipper swimming for Pirates swimming club in Salisbury/Harare with my old man haha,then Port Elizabeth with all of you keep it up and howzit to everybody, Cheers Billy |
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| Hi Kobus, you sent me an e-mail approx 6 weeks ago and my reply to you bounced. Could you please contact me either by e-mail or perhaps on Facebook. My profile name is Peter Constantine Morris. I have a bit of information about swimming in Northern Rhodesia for you. I also have a number of Certificates which you might want to upload. I am also in contact with a few other swimmers. Cheers, Peter. |
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| I AM STEVEN AND I REMEMBER WHEN WE USED TO RIDE ANTELOPE TOGETHER WITH THE OLD CAPETOWN SWIM TEAM |
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| Hi everybody. I am taking a long shot here. I was given my Springbok colours in 1986 . Unfortunately in those days all I got was a badge which is to this day one of my most treasured possessions. I am looking for a tie and blazer so that I can make better use of the badge than sitting in my sock draw. Soon after I got my colours we got new badges with a protea (still no blazer or tie)what a shame hey.....If anyone can help i would be most grateful. Cheers all . |
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| I used to train in your moms pool in Cyrildene in JHB with your brother Roy. I am looking to contact Roy or Ivor Gordon Regards, Morris Lazarus Port Elizabeth SA |
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| What a great site, I literally spent hours reading the articles and looking at the photographs. I was S.A. Breaststroke Champion in 1963, 1964, 1965, held all the S.A. Records and was on the Springbok teams of 1964 and 1965 that toured Europe and England. In 1965 I also reprented S.A. at the Maccabiah Games in Israel. In 1966 and 1967 I swam for Don Gambril at Pasadena City College and was "All American" (in the top ten of the U.S.). In S.A. I swam for Balfour Park in J0ohannesburg and my coach was Jan Kooiman (he was the Best!!) I have many photographs, articles, results (printed) and programs that I will send you, they are all packed away in the basement, and have to be found. Currently I live in Toronto, Canada and have since 1972. Please keep up the good work on this great website. |
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| Good website...but I could have done better. |
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J Pappas wrote on January 20th, 2011 |
| My Father was in the 1952 Helsinki Games Water polo Squad. Great site |
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Bridget Escreet wrote on January 17th, 2011 |
| Hi there. This is great. It is important to remember and document our swimming history especially on those who achieved so much. The brilliant swimmers who missed taking part in international swims. Please send details where I can send information and photo's regarding Alice and Clarrie Escreet. Will also have Northern Transvaal info when Clarrie was President. Regards, Bridget du Rand nee Escreet |
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| Great memories & photos. I thought Darian Townsend was the son of Ted & Rita (Klei) - both of whom were in the same Rhodesian swimming teams as I in the early '70s. |
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| I am the daughter of Douglas Morley and have found it really interesting to read up on Rachel Finlayson. Thanks so much |
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| Fantastic! Brought back treasured memories. Keep up the good work. |
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| Very interesting! and yes I also remember going to a swimming camp with my coach at the time Cecil Colwin and consuming 6 eggs for breakfast!! From a family of swimmers, most of us swam for Transvaal at the time and my one brother water polo during the late sixties and early seventies. My brother Pierre was later awarded Springbok colours for modern pentathlon. My little claim to fame in the presence of all the greats was that at the age of eleven I broke the world age group record and at the same time swam an Olympic qualifying time Obviously in those days most of the major international competitions used to be with the then Rhodesia. I do recall the Australian swimmers coming over at one time and my parents hosting two of the guys, obviously very much the Cinderella sport in SA with not that much money to throw around. When chosen to compete one's parents had to fork out all the money for coaches, gear and travel. Keep up the good work! |
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| Kobus, take a bow ! Good job....this site brings back great memories of those crazy, beautiful days of Led Zeppelin, 6 egg breakfasts and endless km's in the pool.....you always were an inspiration...respect! Andre |
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| Hi Kobus I only discovered the site tonight when I was looking up my old Namibian coach Cees Jonker! Terrific!! It was great to see the names of all my other coaches - Tom Fraenkel, Syd Gibbon and Frank Parrington, my uncle BC van Wyk as well as many of my swimming heroes. I also briefly trained with Santa van Jaarsveld for a holiday. I swam from 1969 to around 1976 and then started again about 5 years ago! I also had two other coaches in Orkney when I started which you could add: Tommie Pretorius and Ben van Dam - Carola's dad. Looking forward to exploring the rest of the site. I now live in Kelowna, Canada. Keep well Jeanette |
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| Was the Foster Cup - Rhodesian championships - named after Richard Foster? I played for the North in 1961 in the Nico Luchs era. Bill |
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| FINALLY SOMETHING FOR US SWIMMERS! I'D LIKE TO ADD MY DAD, BC VAN WYK AS ONE OF THE COACHES FROM KROONSTAD. HE PRODUCED TWO SPRINGBOK SWIMMERS, NAMELY HANNELIE VERMEULEN AND HERMAN NIENABER. |
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| Kobus, I have just found the site and think it is great. I still keep in contact with many of the people I swam with (Jeanine Steenkamp, Andre Kotze, Uta Fritsch etc) and will get as much information together as possible and forward it your way. Good luck with the website and if you need any help dont hesitate to ask. |
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| Some many familiar names, can't wait to see how this site grows. Thanks for starting this, Karel |
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| Barry is correct. My brother and I both trained under Santa. Also add Ansie Reitsma to Santa's group in Bloemfontein. Great coach, fantastic person |
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| Great site Kobus. I am sure some of the springboks also swam with other coaches. I speak for myself and my own memories. Sprinboks coached by Santa: Jannie Horn, Pietie Horn, Charle Meyer,Thabo Stegman, Martie Pepler, Dougie Eager,Charl Venter, Jeanine Steenkamp, Amanda Markgraaf, Lizelle Markgraaf, Alice Escreet |
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| Hi Kobus, This is a great idea. Will see what my mother, an avid collectors of results etc has kept for me. Will see what I have and scan, photocopy etc for you David |
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| Hi Kobus, How can i send you some old press clippings and photos from the '60's? I was SA backstroke champ from 1963 to 1968; British champ in both Backstrokes in 1965 (the same team as Karen Muir Geoff Grylls, Dianne Ludorf etc) and 1966. Springbok teams in 1964,65,66,67,68. Swam in the bad old days when we were not welcome in many places... Nice to read from all the old names, coaches etc. Keep up the excellent work. |
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| Hi Kobus I have the programmes for nationals 1991 and 1992 with some results. I will scan them when I get a chance and get them over to you. LK |
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| Hey Kobus, What an awesome collection of old photos! Great taking a trip down memory lane! Would love to hear from some of you guys and gals! |
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| Great to see some real history, keep up the good work. |
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| Great to see some of those names from way back. I trained with both Basil Bridal and Arthur George in the 70's. Now living in Sydney, after years in RSA, UK and Hong Kong. |
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| I swam for Rhodesia in the late 50s and 60s. I represeeted Rhodesia in 1963- 1965 Curry Cup with the likes of John Keyter, Marlyn Sidelsky, the late Jenny Wood and the Cartwright girls. I won a bornze medal for the 100 breastroke in the 1963 Currie Cup in Pretoria and the next year at the SA Games in Port Elizabeth, I won a gold for this event. I am now living in the UK in Salisbury, Wiltshire and have not attempted Masters despite the huge encouragement I got from Joe Hillstrom (N Rhodesia Swimmer). My brother has posted some super photos of my era in swimming on a group site on Face Book and if you need to have any to display, get them from there. |
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| Hey guys. Iwas a little nipper who idolised a lot of you guys....I ended up playing waterpolo for the springboks in the eighties and nineties....wish I could have lived longer in Rhodesia ...loved it there and this site brought back so many memories....cheers colin |
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| This could become a really worthwhile site. CGA (The old TVL Swimming Union) has just turned 100 years. One of your best sources for info would be each of the provincial Swimboards yearly handbooks. Are you looking for past team photos and articles. I kept a scrap book at one time. Just to let you know if you don't know yet Ron Borill passed away last year and Rudi Spoor earlier this year. Hope to have some really interesting chats about years gone by and the future of swimming in SA. Regards, PAUL |
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| Well done Kobie...always a sticker for details, probably remember your splits from the 80's!? The guest book contributors an acknowledgement and respect to your efforts. Let us know when you're in town |
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| Well done please contact me if you would like any information regarding test matches |
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| This is fantastic website, my mom and her brothers (Duncans) represented rhodesia in 1976 and 1978 from which I can see. Found photos of the team. Great work. |
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Carolyn Carswell wrote on September 3rd, 2009 |
| How great it is that there is some documentation of this swimming era. |
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| Great work Kobus - fantastic to have so much swim history available - but there is still so much missing - regards - Ron Duff |
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| Nice to see the legacy of swimmers past being honoured, well done |
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| I was coached by Clara Aurik and qualified to swim for WP in 1972. Unfortunatley never competed due to returning to the UK. There is some archive photos and info which I shall scan and post onto the site. I have found Sharon Poole on this site with whom I used to swim with at Newlands. Look forward to hearing from anyone who was around at the same time |
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| Kobus, this all brings back such strong memories - just glad I'm still fully involved in Masters otherwise I'd feel incredibly old!! Photo's - I've just been through what my late mom was hoarding - SA National's Rhodesian team photo's 1969 to 1973, Olympic team to the Munich Games 1972, and SA Games 1973 (and far too many of me!)- would be honoured to share with everyone. Bob Hatherly |
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| Hi Kobus, Wonderful to see all the old faces again. Well done in establishing this site. |
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| Fun to see all the old faces. Going to pass the site on to my mom, Lorraine Anderson. She is living in South Dakota, USA now and is sure to have some pictures to add. |
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| Hi Kobus! Just seen the site for the first time. What great memories! Well done. |
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| Hi Kobus, Long time - lots of memories. I have Dad's swimming scrap book and masters medal if you need any more info for your history records. Am now also doing the master's thing. |
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| This is a great idea Kobus. It's good to see so many names from the 70's - Dave Parrington,Debbie Miners, Trevor Morgan and Brian Duguid - all ex Rhodesians. My brother Roger Finch is currently doing extremely well in the Masters swimming and it's good to still see these swimmers in action! |
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| Thi site is fantastic! Brings back so many good memories. I cannot believe it was so long ago! It only feels like yesterday. Kobus, let me know if I can help in any way. Living in Brisbane Australia. |
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| Hey Kobus, been a while and this put a huge smile on my face! Thanks for the memories and take care. |
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| I can tell that you would make a girl very happy. And on the weekend just past, you did. x x |
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| It is surreal to see photos that I had forgotten existed. I have tried to get hoild of some of my former team mates and my coach but to no avail. I am hoping some old friends will contact me once more. I saw Paul Blackbeard at the FINA Wolrd Masters Swim Champs in Perth 2008. Hope to see some more people at the World Masters Games in Sydney 2009 |
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| Hi there it is great to see so many old names. I am trying to find Niels Bouws if anyone knows how to get hold of him that would make me very happy. |
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| Thanks for a great sight great memories it was a great time of my life ...Mark |
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| Thanks Kobus for you efforts ! Makes for many fond memories. I have heaps of stuff for you when you have the time. Mostly from the 70's and swimming in Natal. I was part of two Springbok teams so also have alot of photo's and newspaper articles to share with you. Keep up the great work. Gail |
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| Nice to be able to read more about my Zimbabwean relatives Dave Parrington [whom I have been in contact with in the US] as well as his late brother Marty Parrington. Thanks for maintaining such a helpful resource for family tree searches in this Internet age. |
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| Kobus, this is amazing ... thanks for the memories !! Regards Steven Klugman |
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| Hi Kobus, This is awesome, thanks for the stroll down memory lane. If you are after any more recent pics from the 80's let me know I have boxes full. Kind regards, Ali x |
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| What a wonderful website. I have some great photos tucked away and look forward to sharing them with all. Started swimming with Dave Parrington's parents (Lillian and Frank) and then moved to Bulawayo where I enjoyed many years of swimming. Such fond memories of a great childhood. Hello to Brian Duguid and Trevor Morgan who have posted articles above. Training companions from way back. |
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| Fantastic to see all the old photos. |
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| Well done and thanks for setting up this website Kobus.It is great to be able to catch up on such a rich swimming history.I look forward to sending you a few contributions to the material |
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| Well Done Kobus I will send you a lot of photos, coaches news letters from the 60's & 70's, top 10 times thru the age groups till 1979. My sister Merlyn swam for Rhodesia in the 70's Regards Roger |
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| HI Kobus Great initiative and good to see such interest. I swan for Rhodesia in those days and this really brings back some stunning memories. |
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| Hi Jane Please get in touch, if you would like to add any information to the site. I have recently located a swimmer from your era – Les Klenerman, a professor at Cambridge – who is letting me scan his photos and articles. I live in north Herts, 20 min outside Cambridge. Regards Kobus Scheepers |
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Jane Asher wrote on August 18th, 2008 |
| This is a great idea, really interesting. |
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Jane Fraser Asher wrote on August 17th, 2008 |
| What a great idea to find all these "old" swimmers. Well done. I was born in N'Kana Northern Rhodesia in 1931. Parents moved to Jhb soon after, so was brought up in Johannesburg. I did swim for Rhodes Uni in the years 1949 to '51 and won some inter varsity back stroke races, but never did anything notable. However, having moved to England, married and raised a family (of 4) I started swimming Masters in the early '80's After losing my husband I spent every year swimming either World's or European Masters championships, and have enjoyed winning every race (so far!!) so am now in the International Hall of Fame in Fort Lauderdale. I think I was noted as the first woman Masters swimmer to win every freestle event LC and SC from 50 to 1500m in the 70 to 75 age group, maybe on earlier. I did the same again in my present age group 75 t0 79 . I had 26 of the 35 records in this age group, but some of them have probably gone as I am now 77 I see Graham Johnson at every one of the Worlds meets. He lives in the USA. You must have tabs on him. What a lot of stuff, but you'll edit it , won't you. Regaards, Jane |
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| This is fantastic Kobus, and brings back many brilliant memories from my diving and water polo days representing Rhodesia. I too have my share of photos which can be added. For any of you who are unaware, Rita Klei, who pops up in some of the Rhodesian and other photos is the Mom of current SA swimmer and Athens Gold Medalist, Darian Townsend. Back in the day when we used to come to Currie Cup she was a SA Champion in back and IM as I recall, and his Dad, Ted was also a Rhodesian swimmer and polo player.By the way,my late brother, Marty Parrington was both a Springbok polo player as well as Rhodesian swimmer and polo player. |
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| I proudly represented South Africa in the 1960's at the same time as Anne Fairley and Karen Muir. We now live in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. I was coached by Cecil Colwin who incidentally also lives in Canada as does Karen Muir. I have many memories of my swimming years in South Africa and would gladly share my experiences with you as well as some photos if you are interested. I continued to swim in Masters once we emigrated and was chosen as B.C Athlete of the Year having broken a number of world records. Great website. Dianne Foster (LUDORF) |
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| Wow this is great all the pictures are amazing... I have some great ones too.. let me know if you would like some of them !! |
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| Funn to see some old names there but we got some great youngsters comming up in SA |
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