Van Wyk a leading performer at Bank Windhoek swimming gala
Roze van Wyk of Marlins Aquatic Club was one of the standout performers at the Bank Windhoek NASFED Long Course–Short Course Gala 1, winning nine events in the girls’ 13-14 age category last Friday and Saturday.
The Namibian Aquatic Sports Federation (NASFED) simultaneously hosted the opening gala of the season in Windhoek, Swakopmund and Oranjemund, allowing swimmers of different ages and abilities to assess their progress, improve their times and gain competitive experience.
Windhoek hosted a long-course gala, while Swakopmund and Oranjemund held short-course competitions.
Van Wyk’s performances in Windhoek included 29.98 seconds in the 50m freestyle, 2 minutes 36.96 seconds in the 200m individual medley, 2 minutes 46.98 seconds in the 200m backstroke and 5 minutes 1.62 seconds in the 400m freestyle.
Van Wyk has already represented Namibia at international junior swimming competitions, including the 2025 Africa Aquatics Zone IV Championship in Eswatini. She was also named the junior victrix ludorum at the 2026 national short course championship.
Vitoria De Sousa (Dolphins Swimming Club) showed her class with six event wins in the girls’ 15-16 category. Her performances included 28.48 seconds in the 50m freestyle, 4 minutes 49.25 seconds in the 400m freestyle and 5 minutes 31.16 seconds in the 400m individual medley.
Her club mate Patrick Durand also secured six wins in the boys’ 12-and-under category. He completed the 400m freestyle in 4 minutes 54.31 seconds, the 400m individual medley in 5 minutes 21.95 seconds and the 200m backstroke in 2 minutes 36.61 seconds.
Jordan Wolhuter of Dolphins claimed six wins in the boys’ 10-and-under category. His times included 35.10 seconds in the 50m freestyle, 40.26 seconds in the 50m backstroke and 44.87 seconds in the 50m breaststroke. Mika Fourie and Aaliyah Losper each recorded five wins in the girls’ 12-and-under category, while Tristan Nell (Marlins) secured five wins in the boys’ 17-18 category.
SWAKOPMUND
In Swakopmund, Liam van Niekerk of Flippers Swimming Club recorded five wins in the boys’ 10-and-under category. He completed the 50m freestyle in 35.86 seconds, the 50m backstroke in 40.66 seconds and the 50m breaststroke in 47.66 seconds.
Flippers club mate Christian van der Westhuizen secured four wins in the boys’ 15-16 category. His results included 24.73 seconds in the 50m freestyle and 54.81 seconds in the 100m freestyle.
Daneé Mostert, competing in the girls’ 13-14 category for Flippers, recorded three wins, including 29.26 seconds in the 50m freestyle, 33.81 seconds in the 50m backstroke and 35.87 seconds in the 50m breaststroke.
ORANJEMUND
At the Oranjemund gala, swimmers from Oranjemund Sand Sharks also produced encouraging performances.
Aryn Feris recorded two wins in the girls’ 12-and-under category, completing the 400m freestyle in 6 minutes 1.95 seconds and the 200m backstroke in 3 minutes 20.96 seconds.
Asser Eskon and Caleb Jeftha each recorded two wins in the boys’ 15-16 category. Eskon’s results included 30.29 seconds in the 50m freestyle and 1 minute 35.65 seconds in the 100m butterfly.
Jeftha completed the 50m freestyle in 34.26 seconds. JC Ashipala also recorded two wins, including a time of 7 minutes 8.25 seconds in the boys’ 12-and-under 400m individual medley.
According to Bernadette Freyer-Swartz, public relations officer of NASFED, the galas across the three regions offered athletes valuable experience and room to improve.
“The regional galas provided swimmers of various ages and ability levels with an opportunity to compete, assess their progress, improve their times and gain valuable race experience as the swimming season gets underway.”
Swartz explained that although there were a few weather challenges and unavailability of a few senior athletes, the galas turned out to be a success.
“In Windhoek, swimmers faced exceptionally hot weather conditions, while some senior athletes were unavailable due to international tours, examinations, or recovery following a demanding competition schedule,” she said.
“Despite these challenges, the gala offered valuable opportunities for participating swimmers to test their form and work towards their season goals,” Swartz added.
NASFED expressed its gratitude to Bank Windhoek, its main sponsor, for supporting the galas across all three regions. The opening competitions marked a positive start to the 2026 swimming season, with further competitions and athlete development expected in the months ahead.
