“Swim your own race, decide what you want out of life.” Those simple words of advice came from South African swimming legend Penelope Heyns who visited Grahamstown last weekend to give a swimming clinic at the Diocesan School for Girls (DSG) Aquatic Centre.
“Swim your own race, decide what you want out of life.” Those simple words of advice came from South African swimming legend Penelope Heyns who visited Grahamstown last weekend to give a swimming clinic at the Diocesan School for Girls (DSG) Aquatic Centre.
Affectionately known as Penny by her fans, Heyns held a two-day stroke technique clinic for DSG, St Andrew's College and Port Elizabeth's Aqua Bear swimming club swimmers, focusing on freestyle and backstroke on Saturday and breaststroke and butterfly on Sunday.
She only had positive things to say about the school's facilities and the potential of our local swimmers. “I've been to training clinics around the country and so far this squad has the highest standard,” Heyns said. “I definitely spotted a few swimmers that have incredible talent.”
From a wealth of experience and a hard-earned reputation, Heyns also gave a motivational speech after the sport coaching was over. “Swim your own race, decide what you want out of life. By watching other people you stop focusing on yourself and what you want; that's when you fail.”
She said that no matter what a person does in life, they need to make the most of whatever talent they are born with.
DSG swimming captain Robyn Charter said that the clinic had helped her immensely. “An important lesson I learned was when Penny told us about the strength in imitative learning – that's where you copy the stroke of the best swimmers in the world and develop yours to be as good,” she said.
Heyns is famous for being the only woman in the history of the Olympic Games to win gold medals in both the 100m and 200m breaststroke at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. At the time she was the first South African Olympic Gold medalist in 44 years.
On the hot topic of the Olympics, Heyns noted that Pretoria swimmer Cameron van der Burgh is a definite man to watch during the Games. “Cameron is an exceptional athlete and has a good chance at winning a medal,” she said.
“Chad le Clos is also very good but his competition is fierce and he is still quite young, I think he'll probably perform his best at the 2016 Games rather than this year.”
And as far as local talent goes, Heyns said she was impressed with not only the talent she saw in Grahamstown this weekend, but the swimmers' dedication in the pool too. “They are very well-behaved, good-natured swimmers. I can tell that they are enthusiastic for the sport and take it seriously.”
