SOUTH African swimming legend Penny Heyns completed a two-day swimming clinic hosted by Harlequins Aquatics at Stirling Primary School yesterday.
Heyns, a triple Olympic medalist, which includes a double gold medal performance in the 100m and 200m breaststroke at the Atlanta Olympic Games in 1996, has run various swimming clinics around the country during the last few years.
She is helping to usher in the future Olympic swimming hopefuls in South Africa.
“Initially after retirement, I did a few swim clinics and then left it for about 10 years, when I had nothing to do with it and now over the last three or four years I have slowly started to get involved in swimming again,” said Heyns.
“I just needed a break from swimming and I was tired of the politics in sport and then a few years ago I was invited back to work with a group of swimmers in Pietermaritzburg and found I quite enjoyed it and started offering swim clinics again.”
The swimmers invited to the clinic were from schools and clubs from all over the Border region and had all competed at either national levels one, two or three.
Heyns is totally at ease when guiding the young swimming talents, looking as comfortable out of the pool as she once did in.
The intensive swimming sessions covered various workouts and was complemented by land training, motivational and nutritional talks.
“I enjoy the teaching side of swimming,” said Heyns.
She believes it is important people who choose to swim discover their ultimate potential in the pool and not because of fame or money.
“The main thing for me is that whatever you do in life it is for the right reason. It’s no good swimming because other people expect you to.”
One of the most important lessons to be learnt from her was to always respect your opponent.
“Ultimately good sportsmanship outweighs any kind of medal or world record performance.”
Heyns makes a splash with coaching clinic at EL school
Heyns, a triple Olympic medalist, which includes a double gold medal performance in the 100m and 200m breaststroke at the Atlanta Olympic Games in 1996, has run various swimming clinics around the country during the last few years.
She is helping to usher in the future Olympic swimming hopefuls in South Africa.
“Initially after retirement, I did a few swim clinics and then left it for about 10 years, when I had nothing to do with it and now over the last three or four years I have slowly started to get involved in swimming again,” said Heyns.
“I just needed a break from swimming and I was tired of the politics in sport and then a few years ago I was invited back to work with a group of swimmers in Pietermaritzburg and found I quite enjoyed it and started offering swim clinics again.”
The swimmers invited to the clinic were from schools and clubs from all over the Border region and had all competed at either national levels one, two or three.
Heyns is totally at ease when guiding the young swimming talents, looking as comfortable out of the pool as she once did in.
The intensive swimming sessions covered various workouts and was complemented by land training, motivational and nutritional talks.
“I enjoy the teaching side of swimming,” said Heyns.
She believes it is important people who choose to swim discover their ultimate potential in the pool and not because of fame or money.
“The main thing for me is that whatever you do in life it is for the right reason. It’s no good swimming because other people expect you to.”
One of the most important lessons to be learnt from her was to always respect your opponent.
“Ultimately good sportsmanship outweighs any kind of medal or world record performance.”
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos