Swimming
The UCT Swimming Club is for all keen swimmers, no matter their level of performance.
TRUCTURE AND ETHOS OF THE CLUB
The Club offers two programmes:
- Squad Swimming
- Novice Swimming
Moreover, alongside these two programmes, the Club provides opportunities to participate in Open Water swimming events for open water swimmers and some social runs under the banner of UCT Swimming Goes Running (see section on Club Activities).
As a Club, our vision is to create a positive and fun environment that seeks to develop each person's swimming confidence and ability irrespective of their level. It is about personal growth and building a social group off campus. Attendance at all sessions is dependent on your own schedule and commitment level, and while swimming is the business of the day, enjoyment of the sessions and making friends through the Club and related activities is massively important too!
Squad Swimming takes place in a heated, indoor pool at the Sports Science Institute of South Africa (SSISA) in Newlands (times listed below). The sessions are taken by Biokineticist interns with sets devised by a coach. Training takes place across four lanes, with each lane swimming a slight variation of the programme’s distance and intensity based on ability. Access to SSISA is kept strictly to our training times and includes access to the change rooms and showers on either side of the swimming sessions. Along with four swimming sessions a week, there is a weekly gym/land session (Thursday) also taken by Biokineticist interns that focuses on strength and conditioning. All sessions are capped at 20 students for safety purposes, organised through weekly sign up lists that ensure everyone has a chance to attend. As part of the fun, there is a tradition of going for ice cream after Friday’s session!
Everyone (irrespective of your ability) is required to pass the UCT Swim Test (200m swim and 10 minutes float/tread). This is done in the UCT Pool sometime in the first two weeks of Semester 1 and thereafter, by arrangement. Those who have already completed the Swim Test need not do it again but must provide the Club with proof if done through another Club in previous years.
Those who fail the Swim Test will be referred to the Novice Programme (see below).
Squad Training Times for SSISA 2025
Semester 1: March, April, May
Semester 2: August, September, October *November (tbc)
|
Day |
Time |
Session |
|
Monday |
19:30-20:30 |
Pool |
|
Tuesday |
19:30-20:30 |
Pool |
|
Wednesday |
19:30-20:30 |
Pool |
|
Thursday |
19:30-20:30 |
Gym |
|
Friday |
17:00-18:00 |
Pool |
Novice Swimming takes place at the UCT Pool behind the UCT Gym. This programme aims to equip people with the skills and confidence required to pass the UCT Swim Test (200m swim and 10 minutes float/tread). Depending on ability, there are Beginner sessions and Intermediate sessions:
- Beginner: takes place in the shallow training pool at first and focus is placed on building confidence, swimming widths, and developing basic strokes.
- Intermediate: for those able to swim widths and who want to start swimming lengths while furthering their stroke development.
All sessions are capped at 10 students to ensure a maximum coaching ratio of 1:10. This is to ensure safety and ensure everyone is able to get the necessary attention they require. All our coaches are UCT Students that have completed a Learn-to-Swim Qualification.
Novice Requirements
Everyone is required to swim a pool width unaided. For those unable to complete a width, please enquire at Sports Admin about joining the University's Learn-to-Swim Programme that teaches basic skills. Upon completion, you can then join the Novice Programme to further your ability.
Novice Training Times 2025
Semester 1: March, April, May
Semester 2: August, September, October *November (tbc)
*land training will replace swimming sessions when temperatures are too cold.
|
Day* |
Time** |
Session |
|
Monday |
18:00-19:00 |
Pool |
|
Tuesday |
18:00-19:00 |
Pool |
|
Wednesday |
18:00-19:00 |
Pool |
|
Thursday |
18:00-19:00 |
Pool |
|
Friday |
18:00-19:00 |
Pool |
|
Saturday |
10:00-11:00 |
Pool |
|
Saturday |
11:00-12:00 |
Pool |
* All sessions are demand dependent and can change subject to demand.
** Some 18:00-19:00 sessions may change to 17:00-18:00 and will be confirmed by Mid-February.
LEARN-TO-SWIM
This programme is run by Sports Admin. Please enquire about it at the front desk at Sport Admin in the Sports Centre. The entry point to this programme is no swimming/floating ability/experience.
Annual activities include USSA, internal galas, open water swims, UCT Swimming Goes Running, and club socials.
USSA Gala
The UCT Swimming Club competes in the annual Swimming USSA (the annual intervarsity competition). The Gala takes place in four sessions spread over two days, normally one morning and one afternoon session. Dates for this year’s USSA held at Stellenbosch are still to be confirmed.
Attending swimmers are expected to attend at least two sessions a week in the lead up to USSA and meet the qualification times for at least 3 events, and swim at least five events exclusive of relays at USSA itself (ideally more). Despite the strong competition between the competing universities, USSA is a highlight in the annual swimming calendar and is filled with fun activities!
Internal Galas
The Club aims to hold two Internal Galas a year - a gala at the start of Term 2 and the end of Term 4. Internal Galas seek to provide both Squad and Novice Swimmers with the opportunity to push themselves competitively and interact. Everyone's times will be recorded and made available. Moreover, they are a great way to see your improvement from one term to the next - so the more you attend, the easier you can see your improvements! Despite being a great way to see what you are capable of; Internal Galas are as much a competitive event as a fun and social affair with refreshments provided!
UCT Swimming Goes Running
2024 saw the trial of UCT Swimming Goes Running; an informal, social running group bringing together both Squad and Novice Swimmers over the course of the year. The idea behind this is to get everyone out of the pool and have a fun social/active event as a club, with three different pace groups that all agree to a good and manageable pace (whether it be walking, running, or a combination!).
Open Water Swimming
Cape Town is the perfect place for open water swimming. While the Club does not formally compete and organise Open Water events, there are ample opportunities to participate in Open Water Swims around Cape Town that will be communicated to members. Moreover, with several swimmers who regularly participate in these events, there is a good group of people to do them with.
Socials
Along with all the Sports related activities, there are several social events throughout the year. The first of which is a Welcome Evening at the start of the first Semester with refreshments. You will get an opportunity to meet your Comm and one another. It is a great way to meet some new people at the start of the year and get to know returning members. The end of 2024 saw a Swimming Formal with a prize giving that we hope to replicate and build on for 2025. There are also collaborations with other Clubs for social evenings!
Whether you are a lifelong swimmer, or wanting to learn the basics, the Club is ready to help you reach your potential, while fostering a love for swimming. Before joining, please make sure you have familiarised yourself with the contents of the Website, and whether you fall into Squad or Novice Swimming and then:
UCT Students
- Log onto PeopleSoft using your UCT credentials or simply click HERE.
- If this link does not work; click on the “Join Clubs & Societies” tile on PeopleSoft
- Accept the terms and conditions
- Search for the code:
- “AQU” to join Squad Swimming.
- (code tbc) to join Novice Swimming.
- Then proceed to join by pressing “Submit”!
Externals (non-UCT)
External are non-UCT people. This could be students at other educational institutions or recent graduates. Please reach out to the Secretary, cc’ing the Chair and Vice Chair who will complete and submit a form to the University for approval. Payment will need to be made at the Sport Admin front desk located upstairs in the UCT Sports Centre.
|
Type |
2025 Fee (R) |
|
Squad |
1 100,00 |
|
Squad (External) |
1 500,00 |
|
Novice |
500,00 |
|
Novice (External) |
600,00 |
2025 COMMITTEE MEMBERS & CONTACTS
Please feel free to contact the Secretary, cc’ing the Chair and Vice Chair for all general queries and admin related matters. For specific issues or points related to other portfolios, please also cc the Chair, Vice, and Secretary. The more people on the email chain, the faster the response! We appreciate your feedback on all Club related matters!
|
Portfolio |
Name |
Contact |
|
Chairperson |
Philip Beynon |
|
|
Vice Chairperson |
Jenna Renecle |
|
|
Secretary |
Isabella Strydom |
|
|
Treasurer |
Elelwani Muelelwa |
|
|
Transformation |
Given Maenetja |
|
|
Marketing |
Kerry Lawrenson |
|
|
Novice Swimming |
Sophie Rodseth |
|
|
Events, Galas, and Open Water |
Rebbeca Monk |
To see what the Club is all about and what we have gotten up to in previous years, go check out our Instagram (@ctswimming) and TikTok (@uctswimming). Regular updates and social announcements will be posted on Instagram along with our WhatsApp Groups and Amathuba Site. So, to stay in the loop, please give us a follow and make sure you are on all our sites!