The Bank Windhoek and NASFED Short Course Gala concluded on Saturday at the Marlins Aquatic Club in Windhoek, bringing together swimmers from across the country for three days of competition.
The event also included swimmers from the Erongo and !Karas regions and formed part of efforts to provide athletes with regular competition and opportunities to improve their performances.
Swimmers competed in a series of short-course events, using the races to test their skills and gain experience ahead of upcoming national and international competitions.
“The preparations leading up to Argentina have been going well. We are going to the Junior Open Water Championships. We have been doing distance training and a lot of endurance training,” said Tristan Nell, a swimmer from Marlins Aquatic Club.
“I've been preparing for this competition for a very long time. Unfortunately, I am sick today, so I didn't get to swim today, but I did swim yesterday and the day before that. Overall, it has been okay,” said Gizelle Slinger of Aqua Swimming and Fitness Club.
“This is my first gala coming back after an injury, and it has been a struggle, but I swam the 100 freestyle today and that went pretty well,” said Candice Rey of Aqua Swimming and Fitness Club.
“The whole gala is really fun. All my best friends are here, and they always make it fun. The preparation was hard, swimming consistently, and it's just amazing to be at a gala like this,” said Oelof Badenhorst, a swimmer.
Organisers say the event provides swimmers from different regions with an opportunity to compete, gain experience and prepare for upcoming events.
“We have been working really hard, preparing our officials for not only the gala but also for next year when we host the Africa Champs. I am really proud of our officials. We work really hard,” said technical official Emily Durandt.
The event was hosted through a partnership between Bank Windhoek and the Namibia Swimming Federation (NASFED), with the partnership supporting opportunities for swimmers to compete and improve their skills.