TWO para-swimmers competed in the recent Point Break Open Water 2,1km event held at Oanab Dam, continuing an inspiring journey in their budding swimming careers.
They are, 26-year-old Caitlin Botha and 18-year-old Jerome Rooi, who competed in the Oanab event for the first time.
Open water swimming is a swimming discipline which takes place in outdoor bodies of water such as dams, oceans, lakes, and rivers.
It is a discipline that requires little technique but lots of confidence.
Under the hashtag #icandoanything, Botha and Rooi finished the race and achieved good times over the 2km distance.
Botha, who has cerebral palsy, managed to complete the course in one hour, 41 minutes and 02,63 seconds, while leg-amputee Rooi completed the race in 45 minutes and 15,12 seconds.
Both swimmers trained hard for this event under the professional guidance of the coach Adriaan Maritz, who was delighted with their effort and believes that with proper investment, the athletes could achieve greater goals and self-worth.
The Namibia National Paralympic Committee treasurer, Jean Paul Schmidt, and chief operating officer, Memory Kahlari, attended the event to champion for their athletes.
The committee is committed to supporting these athletes on their pathway to Paris. To that end, they are sourcing support for the three-member swimming team, which is completed by double leg amputee Mateus Angula.
Rooi and Botha need to be classified and swim at the Citi Para Swimming World Series, set for 8 to 14 May in Berlin, Germany.
The cost of the Citi Para Swimming World Series tour is estimated at N$250 000, covering flights, accommodation, meals, and entry fees.
"This will also provide a great platform for our Namibian para swimmers to compete competitively against other international swimmers and qualify for the Paris Paralympics. Sponsors are more inclined to sponsor abled bodied swimmers than differently bodied swimmers, which makes it very difficult for us to support the team, the swimmers support team," stated Kahlari.
She emphasised that with the requisite substantive "financial backing and more sporting events our athletes can go far."
Contact Aileen Botha at 081 128 7888 for further details.
