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Springboks

Until 1992 Springbok colours were awarded to athletes who represented South Africa at senior international level

World Records

Since 1960, South Africans have set 72 world records in swimming

Exiles

Since the 1950s, many athletes have left the country to compete overseas - most have never returned, and no official complete record of them exists.

Albums and Scrapbooks

Scrapbooks, photo albums and other memorabilia collections donated by many people involved mainly in swimming in South Africa. 

The first album was shared by Dutch world champion Ada Kok, who visited South Africa in 1963.

Swimming coaches of southern Africa

There is no register of swimming coaches who operate in southern Africa. The coaches listed here are mostly known due to their success at the national and international levels. 

In Memoriam

To remember athletes like Denzil Greef and Muriel Ensore-Smith, who died young. Unfortunately, many others have passed and left no trace.

South African Universities - SAU

Since 1929, intervarsity aquatic sports have been popular at South African universities. Initially, this included only water polo and swimming.

Tidal Pools of southern Africa

Numerous safe swimming spaces have been built along the coast of southern Africa.

SAASU

South African Amateur Swimming Union  1900 - 1993

Tourists

Coaches, swimmers, and administrators of aquatic sports who have toured southern Africa.

How South Africa Swimmers Stole America's Olympic Gold

At the 2004 Olympic Games, the South African men's 4x100m freestyle relay took the gold medal in a new world record.

The politics of leisure and Johannesburg's swimming baths, 1920s to 1930s by Professor Louis Grundligh

One of the aims of Johannesburg's British-controlled town council after the South African War (1899-1902) was to provide open public leisure spaces for its white citizens. The establishment and development of Ellis Park as a major sports centre was one of these endeavours.

Biographies

A small number of biographies were published in 1949 and 1973.

Articles related to swimming and other aquatic sports in southern Africa

Entries with an arrow symbol → have been updated. Others are still in development.
  • 2004 - How South Africa Swimmers Stole America's Olympic Gold →

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  • Academic articles by Professor Louis Grundligh →

    I  am doing research on the history of Johannesburg's public spaces. Currently, I am working on the history of the Johannesburg zoo.

    Read more

  • Albums and scrapbooks →

    Many people have contributed their collections to the site, including Dutch champion Ada Kok.

    Read more

  • Biographies

    A small number of biographies were published in 1949 and 1973.

  • Coaches

    Professor Finney, Jimmy Green, Rachael Finlayson, and Alex Bulley were some of the early swimming coaches in South Africa.

  • Disabled Swimming →

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  • Exiles →

    The first Exiles were the men who won scholarships to the University of Oklahoma in 1952. Since then many athletes from southern Africa have taken up scholarships to compete at American universities - many never returned to their homeland.

    Read more →

  • Guestbook

    Old Guestbook entries 2008 - 2014

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  • Histories and Publications

    Various magazines, books, and pamphlets have recorded the aquatic sports history of South Africa. 

  • Iconic Swimming Pools in southern Africa

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  • In Memoriam

    Athletes like Muriel Ensore-Smith, who died young. Many are forgotten.

  • Non-white swimming →

    Aquatic sports history from the Coloured, Black, and Asian communities of South Africa, as reported in the press.

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  • Politics →

    An entire generation of South African athletes missed out on international competition between 1961 and 1991.

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  • Pools and Places →

    Iconic swimming pools, Robben Island, Midmar Dam, and Sundays River are some locations where swimming history was made. 

    Read more →

  • Portuguese Mozambique

    Neighbouring Mozambique had an active sporting culture, including swimming, diving, and sailing.

  • SAASU - South African Amateur Swimming Union

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  • South African Universities

  • Springboks →

    National colours were awarded to all South Africans who competed at international sports events. 

    Read more →

  • Tourists

    Australian world champion Ernest Cavill toured the Cape in 1898.

  • Thys Lombard interviews

    Video interviews of Geoff Grylls, Joan Harrison, Ann Fairlie and others.

  • World records →

    More than 60 world swimming records have been set by South Africans.

    Read more →