Maties Aquatics Club swimmer, Hannah Neilson, recently won a gold medal for the women’s 7,5 km open water race at the 2022 South Africa National Open Water Championships.
Neilson completed the women’s 7,5 km open water swim with a time of 1 hour 36 minutes and 54 seconds at the event, which was held between 4 and 6 March at Marina Martinique in Jeffreys Bay. She also placed eighth in the women’s 5 km race and fifth in the women’s 10 km race.
“[Swimming] helps me through my day. It is my daily dose of happiness. It helps to clear my mind,” said Hannah Neilson, a Maties Aquatics Club swimmer, who recently placed first in the women’s 7,5 km open water race at the 2022 South Africa National Open Water Championships. PHOTO: Kara Olivier
Neilson’s win allowed her to qualify for the Junior World Championships in Seychelles, which will take place in September. “I’m glad that I am done and that I have finished the race but the thought of me going to Junior World Championships has not sunk in yet,” said 17-year-old Neilson, who is currently attending Tate International School in Durbanville.
Mykae Forrest (left), Hannah Neilson (centre) and Callan Lotter (right) on the podium after the 7,5 km swim at the 2022 South Africa National Open Water Championships. PHOTO: Supplied/Cedric Finch
“When I am finished [with high school] I want to do a BA in sports science, maybe at Stellenbosch [University]. Or I am looking into going into art or even tattooing,” Neilson stated.
Although balancing school work and swimming practices can be difficult, Neilson, who has been swimming since the age of six, stated that she enjoys knowing that she can make her coach and support system proud.
“[Nationals] was probably my hardest swim. In the moment it’s quite tough and you want to bail, but now I am just thinking about doing the next one and the next one,” said Neilson.
Neilson’s hard work and determination is what makes her an excellent open water swimmer stated Cedric Finch, head coach at Maties Aquatics Club. “She has only been actively swimming for four years. So it’s actually amazing that she has progressed so quickly,” he added.
Maties Aquatics Club head coach, Cedric Finch, and Hannah Neilson during the 7,5 km women’s open water race at Marina Martinique in Jeffreys Bay. PHOTO: Supplied/Cedric Finch
Aquatics Club swimmers make a splash at nationals
According to Finch, swimmers Jessica Booth and Muhammad Adams from Maties Aquatics Club also participated in this championship.
Jessica Booth (left) and Hannah Neilson (right) are members of the Maties Aquatics Club. During training season they practice twice a day at the Coetzenberg swimming pool in Stellenbosch. “She is the best training partner to have because she literally eats, sleeps and breathes swimming. She always puts in the work,” said Booth, Neilson’s training partner. PHOTO: Kara Olivier
“Open water training is very different from what we are used to but I enjoy it,” said Booth, Neilson’s training partner, who placed ninth in both the 5 km and 10 km women’s open water swim. Booth is a second year B of Occupational Therapy student at Stellenbosch University.
Adams placed 38th in the 5 km men’s open water swim at the championship after a shortened training season, stated Finch.
(From left to right) Maties Aquatics swimmers Hannah Neilson, Jessica Booth, Muhammad Adam and head coach Cedric Finch at the 2022 South Africa National Open Water Championships in Jeffreys Bay between 4 and 6 March. PHOTO: Supplied/Cedric Finch
What is next?
Finch stated that the ultimate goal for Neilson is to represent South Africa at the 2028 Summer Olympics in the United States. “There are no quick fixes. If you want to get to the Olympics it’s a long-term athlete development program,” said Finch. “We will be focusing on building speed and endurance.”
“We had a good run at the Nationals — I am glad we got to see what [Neilson] could do. There is still a lot of work to be done, but [Neilson] is a rough diamond here and now we can build on that,” said Finch.
Cedric Finch (left), Jessica Booth (centre) and Hannah Neilson (right) at the Coetzenburg swimming pool where Neilson will be training in anticipation of the Junior World Championships in Seychelles later this year. PHOTO: Kara Olivier