Debutants take much from junior world champs

The Namibia Aquatic Sports Federation (Nasfed) made its debut at the recently concluded World Aquatics Junior Open Water Swimming Championship in Alghero, Sardinia, Italy.

For the first time, four junior open water swimmers from Aqua Swimming and Fitness Club were sent to represent the country at a world event.

This historic participation in the sixth edition of the competition, which began in 2012, featured 16-year-old Tristan Nell and Rodney Feris (14) from St. George’s Diocesan School; St. Paul's College’s Madison Bergh (15) and the home-schooled Reza Westerduin (16), currently based in the United Kingdom.

Accompanied by coach Jean-Michael Leitner and team manager Jörn Diekmann, the competition saw Nell and Westerduin, in the 17 to 18 age category, take on the 7.5 km open water swim and 3 km knockout sprint.

Meanwhile, Feris and Bergh took on the 16.5 km open water swim and 3 km knockout sprint in the 15 to 16 age group.



7.5 km open water swim

Sharing her thoughts on the experience, Westerduin said she is pleased with her performance in the 7.5 km swim.

“My goal was to improve my personal best and to have fun, which I achieved with a time of 1 hour 40 minutes 56 seconds.

“What I enjoyed most was figuring out my race strategy – how I was going to take on the turns around the buoys, and whether I’d stop at the feeding station to rehydrate.

“Thanks to the coaches on tour, Jean and Jörn, for their support and guidance. Swimming against European and Olympic champions was an experience I’ll never forget,” she noted.

Meanwhile, Nell swam 7.5 km in 1:32:44 and completed the 1.5 km in 18 minutes 57 seconds. He said: “As an athlete, [being selected] to represent your country on a world stage is a huge accomplishment.

“I was nervous initially, as this is my first time, but yet excited to show the world what I can do. I have a lot of trust in the programmes my coach at Aqua has made for me and the support behind me.

“My goals ahead of this competition were to improve on my long-distance times, gain experience and confidence to compete at such a stage, and most importantly, to make my country proud and have fun,” he noted.



5 km open water swim

Feris, who swam a personal best of 19 minutes 36 seconds in the 1.66 km sprint, said it was an honour to swim for Namibia – something he has worked towards.

“Participating at the world championship was a great experience, and my performance has improved immensely.

“My goal was to swim qualifying times in the 5 km, and I achieved that with a time of 1 hour 10 minutes. Swimming is my passion and I will see how far I can develop my talents,” he assured.

Bergh completed the 5 km in 1:11:29 and achieved 19 minutes 05 seconds in the 1.5 km. He said it was an incredible honour to represent the country, stating that competing on a global stage for the first time was exciting and challenging.

“I am proud to have had the opportunity to race alongside some of the best young swimmers in the world and to showcase what Namibia has to offer. My personal goal was to push my limits, improve my endurance and pacing, and gain valuable insights for future races,” he noted.

Coach Leitner said despite the short preparation time – selection was finalised only seven weeks before the competition – the swimmers performed exceptionally well, surpassing all expectations and finishing comfortably within the cut-off times.

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