Karen Muir Swimming Pool
Karen Muir was an iconic South African swimmer who set 18 world records between 1965 and 1970, seven of which were set in this pool. She was a native of Kimberley, attending Dutoitspan Laerskool and matriculating from the Hoërskool Diamantveld in 1969.
The first world record set in this swimming pool was by Transvaal swimmer Ann Fairlie, on February 21, 1966, for the 110-yard backstroke.
Queen’s Park, founded in 1874, was originally Kimberley Public Gardens but was renamed to Queen’s Park to mark the coronation of Elizabeth II. The current swimming pool located in the park was opened in 1960 and renamed the Karen Muir Pool in 1969. It was built as a 55-yard competition pool, and hosted overseas visitors including Americans Don Schollander and Patty Caretto, French champion Kiki Caron and Canadian world record holder Elaine Tanner, swimming against the Springbok swimming team on a number of occasions.
Galas were organised by the Griqualand West Swimming Union and attended by sell-out crowds of over 3000 people, who came to support their local hero, Karen Muir. Karen had set a world record for the 110 yards backstroke in 1965, at the tender age of 12. She gained instant international fame as the youngest person to set a senior world record.
American great Don Schollander, Canadian world champion Elaine Tanner, Olympic medallist Cathy Ferguson and French champion Kiki Caron all came to swim in Kimberley during the 1960's. Karen Muir was not allowed to compete against the world's best swimmers at the Olympic Games - so they came to swim against her in her own backyard!
You can find further information about Karen Muir's 18 world records here.
As the home pool of their world record holder, it was soon officially renamed to the Karen Muir Pool in 1969. The 55-yard length pool features overhead incandescent lights (which had a habit of exploding when wet by rain!). It was later remodelled to a 50m Olympic length.
It was the venue for the 1974 South African Schools Championships. In 2025, it is the home pool of the Flamingo Aquatics Club.
On 18th March 1974, the South African High Schools Swimming and Diving Championships were held at the Karen Muir pool in Kimberlye.
