Windhoek — After 26 years of swimming coaching, the country's first and only coach from a Namibia Swimming Union (NASU) affiliated club is finally taking off the flippers.

June Owen-Smith, 69, called it a day this week after a rewarding career coaching the Swakopmund Swimming Club for 26 years. The NASU recently awarded her with a life-time achievement award as recognition of her significant contribution to the sport. Almost 70 years old, Owen-Smith still looks forward to teaching the little ones how to swim.

Born in Zimbabwe, she lost her father in 1945 during the Second World War and thereafter became part of a family of 10 when her mother remarried. "With such a large family, nothing much was planned for tertiary education. We planned our own," she said.

"Unable to get a bursary for veterinary science (an area for men only in those days) and my mother frowning upon Art and Physical Education teaching I left for Kenya at the age of 17 and booked into a new nursing school. We earned nothing but it was the wildlife experience of a lifetime.

Owen-Smith says she found her way into swimming through the inspiration of her daughter Kerry being born mentally handicapped.

"I spent many years getting Kerry as close to normal as I could with lots of physiotherapy in water. Thus the beginning of my "Learn to Swim" was with handicapped children."

In a recent interview with the Economist, Owen-Smith offered a glimpse into her experience and wisdom earned from a very long career:

Did you expect the reward from NASU and what do you think was your biggest contribution?

I hadn't expected any kind of award at my farewell last Saturday. I would say that keeping competitive swimming going at the coast when it often looked as if it may die and teaching so many children and also adults to swim.

What was/were the highlight/s of your career as a swimming coach?

Being part of the first development gala in SA in Newcastle in Natal. We took a team of 34 and I had great help from Annatjie van der Linde. They got 18 gold, 12 silver and 24 bronze medals and also received the junior victrix ludorum and senior victor ludorum.

You are the only female swimming coach for a swimming club in Namibia? Did you ever feel that you are on male territory and how did you handle it?

I wasn't really aware of it although I had to ensure that I am well informed, have statistics well sorted out and the reasons clear. In short 'have my maths done.'

What benefits does swim as a sport have for the young and old even if they are not that talented?

Swimming is the best exercise possible. With swimming you exercise all muscles without serious possible injury. Moving in a crawling motion is beneficial for not only the mentally handicapped but for all as it has a great stimulating effect on the brain.

According to your view, what personal attributes are necessary for excellent swimming performance and what environmental factors are conducive to enhance performance?

To excel, the swimmer need foremost a love for swimming and needs to be disciplined. Furthermore parental support and a good coach is of tremendous help. External factors preferable a pool of 20+ meters, a water temperature of 23°C to 27°C and a school or club supporting him.

What do you think can be done to promote swimming as a sport in Namibia and in which way can the government become more involved? Or shouldn't they be?

The biggest contribution will be local or municipal pools that are in good order combined with compulsory school-swim programmes. All kids must learn to swim. Tragically most of the people who drowned at the Mole could not swim. . In my childhood days in Zimbabwe swimming was compulsory in schools and all children had to obtain a swimming certificate by the age of 9/10.

What were the main international controversial issues regarding swimming in time of your coaching and did it have any effect in Namibia?

Apartheid played a big role in huge part of the population being unable to swim and also the lack of interest in swimming. Just this morning we had an example with about 80 new entries in the navy of whom none are able to swim. However the Swakopmund Swimming Club was, from its inception, open to all races. Enhancing drug use as well as enhancing costumes - the latter which will be banned from January 2010 are currently the controversial issues.

What do you think may become controversial issues in the years to come?

The maintenance of pools in Namibia. Over the past years we have seen the closure of pools in Tsumeb, Omaruru, Grootfontein and Rundu. There are currently only swimming clubs in Windhoek, Swakopmund and Oranjemund. A swimming pool should be a public amenity that is open and affordable to all

What swim style is your personal favourite?

Definitely freestyle but an easy breaststroke and backstroke also suits me.