South Africa's summer swimming season returns

South Africa's summer swimming season returns

SuperSport Schools is once again shining a spotlight on the country's top young swimming talent through Swimming on 216.

With major events such as the SA Short Course National Championships, Curro AquaElite Gala and Menlo Gala on the horizon, the programme will continue to bring fans closer to the athletes, stories and performances shaping the future of South African swimming.

As the weather heats up, so does SuperSport Schools’ swimming line-up on 216

Swimming on 216 returns with five new episodes celebrating South Africa’s rising swimming stars, major school events and the stories behind the athletes making waves in the pool.

The weather is heating up, pools are filling up and a new generation of South African swimmers is getting ready to make waves. As the summer swimming season gets into full swing, SuperSport Schools is turning up the heat on 216, with the return of Swimming on 216 and five new episodes shining a spotlight on the athletes, events and stories shaping the next generation of swimming talent.

From the excitement of major national championships to the fierce competition of the school swimming calendar, Swimming on 216 will take viewers closer to the action, the personalities and the journeys behind the times on the scoreboard.

At the heart of the programme is former Olympian and presenter Emma Prinsloo (née Chelius), whose own journey from school swimmer to international athlete and broadcaster gives her a unique connection to the young athletes featured on the show.

Originally from Westville, KwaZulu-Natal, Prinsloo is an Old Girl of St Mary’s DSG, Kloof, where her passion for swimming first took root. Her journey took her from the school swimming pool to representing South Africa on the international stage, giving her first-hand insight into the dedication, discipline and resilience required to compete at the highest level.

Now, she brings that experience back to the next generation, using her knowledge of the sport and passion for storytelling to uncover the personalities behind the performances. Through athlete interviews, features and conversations around the biggest moments of the season, Prinsloo helps bring the swimming community closer to the athletes who are making their mark.

The new season gets off to a fast start with the SA Short Course National Championships in Pietermaritzburg from 24 to 27 September, where some of the country's leading swimmers will go head-to-head in the pool. The championships will also see the return of Olympic champion Tatjana Smith, adding another layer of excitement to an event that will provide a glimpse of the talent emerging through South Africa’s swimming ranks.

Swimming on 216 will go beyond the results to explore the performances, personalities and stories emerging from the championships, with a particular focus on the school-age swimmers continuing to make their presence felt.

From national competition, the spotlight then shifts to the school swimming scene with the Curro AquaElite Gala from 2 to 4 October. Widely regarded as one of the standout events on the school swimming calendar, the gala brings together some of the country's most exciting young swimmers and provides a stage for future stars to test themselves against some of the best in their age groups.

Viewers can expect athlete interviews, personal stories and a closer look at the performances and personalities making an impact both in and out of the pool.

The summer swimming action continues at the Menlo Gala in Pretoria on 17 October, another major fixture on the school swimming calendar. Swimming on 216 will capture the energy of the event while highlighting emerging talent, standout performances and the stories that demonstrate just how much depth exists within South African school swimming.

But the action isn't only about the big galas.

The programme’s popular Weekly Waves segment will continue to put individual swimmers in the spotlight, telling the stories behind the goggles and swim caps and exploring the hard work, sacrifices and determination that go into achieving success in the pool. With one feature already completed this season, more young swimmers will be introduced to audiences as the season progresses.

Adding an international dimension to the season will be an exclusive interview with open-water swimmer Katie Horne, following her return from representing South Africa at the Junior Open Water World Championships in Argentina. Her experiences on the world stage will offer a fascinating insight into the opportunities available to young South African swimmers and the different pathways that can take them from school competition to international representation.

Thando Bakumeni, Head of SuperSport Schools, said: “Swimming is one of those sports where every race tells a story. As the summer season gets underway, we’re excited to give young swimmers the platform to tell those stories and showcase the incredible talent coming through our schools. Swimming on 216 allows us to go beyond the times and results and introduce audiences to the athletes, their journeys and the people behind the performances. We’re looking forward to another season of celebrating the swimmers who are making waves and inspiring the next generation.”

With the summer season only getting started, Swimming on 216 will continue to bring viewers closer to the athletes, schools and events driving the sport forward. From national championships and school galas to personal journeys and emerging stars, 216 is ready to dive into another season of South African swimming.

The pool is ready. The swimmers are ready. Summer is here.