Natal towns
The British colony of Natal was created after the area was captured from the original Boer republic of Natalia in 1842. The Boer capital of Pietermaritzburg was retained, although Durban was to become the main commercial centre of the province.
The sporting province of Natal stretched from Port Edward in the south to Richards Bay in the north, and included inland towns of Escort, Dundee and Vryheid. Zululand is a sub-province covering the northern part of Natal.
The warm Indian Ocean in Natal creates a better climate for swimming than any other part of the country, allowing for year-round training in outdoor pools. The many beaches and tidal pools also help develop aquatic sports, as many swimmers were also surf lifesavers. Click here to see the tidal pools along the Natal South Coast and to see tidal pools of the North Natal Coast click here.
The Natal Ironman is named for athletes who complete the Midmar Mile swim, Dusi Canoe Marathon and Comrades marathon - all based in Pietermaritzburg.
The Midmar Dam, located in the Natal Midlands near Pietermaritzburg, is where the Midmar Mile is held every year. The Newcastle Swimming Club also hosts an open water race in the Chelmsford dam.
Natal boast numerous excellent schools, and many Natal schools have their own pools. Like the rest of the country Natal also has numerous municipal swimming pools.