Midmar champs Callan Lotter and Matt Caldwell target national open-water glory in Jeffreys Bay
Open-Water Swimming
South Africa’s leading marathon swimmers will converge on Marina Martinique in Jeffreys Bay this wseekend for the Bombela Concession Company SA National Open Water Championships, where national titles and junior international qualification opportunities will be on the line.
Image: Supplied
South Africa’s leading marathon swimmers will descend on Marina Martinique in Jeffreys Bay this weekend with national titles and international qualification opportunities up for grabs at the Bombela Concession Company SA National Open Water Championships.
The three-day competition, which runs from Friday to Sunday, will see the country’s top open- water specialists battle across several distances, with the women’s field headlined by reigning champion and recent Midmar Mile winner Callan Lotter.
The Pretoria-based swimmer arrives in confident mood after sweeping the 1.5km, 5km, 10km and 3km knockout titles at last year’s championships, but the soon-to-be 20-year-old insists past success counts for little once the racing begins.
“My training has been going well and I’ve done the mileage needed for the racing,” said Lotter, who will take pasrt in the 10km, 5km and 3km knockout events.
“Last year proved I can do it, but this year is a new race and I have to earn it again. I take more confidence from the work I’ve done than from the title itself.”
Among those on the start line this weekend will be defending champion in the 1.5km, 5km, 10km and 3km knockout and recent winner of the aQuellé Midmar Mile, Callan Lotter, who heads in as strong favourite.
Image: Action Photo SA
Lotter has also credited new coach Troy Prinsloo for helping reignite her passion for the sport.
“Being in a positive environment where there’s belief, structure and support allows you to push yourself properly and improve,” she said.
While endurance is essential, Lotter believes open-water racing demands far more than just stamina.
“It takes patience, tactical awareness and mental resilience. You have to be comfortable being uncomfortable.”
Among those hoping to challenge her will be Western Cape swimmer Hannah Neilson, who finished third in both the 10km and 5km races last year.
Although illness has disrupted her build-up, Neilson says the unpredictable nature of open-water competition is what keeps drawing her back.
Newly crowned men’s Midmar Mile champion Matthew Caldwell is another swimmer looking forward to testing himself against the national field, having claimed victory in the 1.5km, and 3km events last year and finished second to Connor Buck in the 5km and 3km knockout.
Image: Action Photot SA
“I love the long training sessions and the open opportunity that anything could happen in a race,” she said.
In the men’s competition, newly crowned Midmar Mile champion Matthew Caldwell will also be eager to make his mark.
The 20-year-old won the 1.5km and 3km titles last year and finished as runner-up in the 5km and 3km knockout. With defending champion Connor Buck competing in the US and absent from this year’s event, Caldwell sees an opportunity but knows the field remains dangerous.
“My preparation has been going well and I’m really looking forward to racing in J-Bay,” he said. “Open water is very unpredictable. If you’re in the race, you’ve got a chance.”
Meanwhile, 18-year-old Troy McWilliam will chase qualification for the South African team for the World Aquatics Junior Open Water Swimming Championships in Argentina later this year.