Tuks swimmers showcased their dominance at the 2024 SA Short Course Championships in Durban, claiming an impressive total of 43 medals—11 gold, 15 silver, and 17 bronze. A standout moment over the weekend came from the women's 4 x 50m medley relay team, which set a new African and South African record, clocking a time of 1:50.95.

In addition to the medal haul, Tuks swimmers achieved 19 B-qualifying times for the upcoming 2024 World Aquatics Swimming Championships (25m), scheduled for December in Hungary. There's a strong possibility that all gold medallists will be selected to compete on the global stage.

Among the top performers was Hannah Pearse, who had already shined at the 2024 USSA Swimming Championships. Pearse continued her stellar form, winning the 200m backstroke in 2:07.28, marking the fifth fastest time in the world this year. Her time was just 1.34 seconds shy of the A-qualifying standard for the Short Course Championships and stands as a new personal best. Earlier this year, Pearse also set a personal best of 2:11.73 in the long course 200m backstroke.

The BSc Human Physiology, Genetics, and Psychology student admitted that she didn’t expect to swim as fast, especially after describing the A-qualifying time as “crazy fast” before the USSA Gala.

Pearse is also the South African long course 200m-backstroke champion, though she prefers the longer distance over her 100m events.

"The 100m-backstroke is too short an event for me. I only find my rhythm after 75 metres. What I like about the 200 metres is that you don't have to be fast right from the start. I back myself over the last 100 metres."

According to Pearce, the pool is her happy place.

"When I swim, all that matters is ensuring I execute every tiny part of my technique flawlessly because I know that will bring me closer to fulfilling my goals. I will do anything to be one of the world's best swimmers. I will not put in all the long, hard hours if I don't like what I am doing. 

"Training at Tuks never feels like a job because I do it with friends. Honestly, there are days when I am less motivated, but when you see how one of your friends achieves their goal, you are all fired up again."

Caitlin de Lange was close to securing A-qualifying times for the World Short Course Championships, winning the 100m freestyle in 54.16, just 0.48s short of the qualifying mark. She also missed the A-qualifying time in the 50m freestyle by a narrow 0.11s. Earlier this year, De Lange shone at the African Games in Ghana, earning seven medals—four individual (2 gold and 2 silver) and three gold in relay events.

Additionally, Tuks swimmers achieved 19 B-qualifying times for the 2024 World Short Course Championships in Hungary. Among them were:

• Matthew Randle (breaststroke)
• Stephanie Houtman (freestyle)
• Callan Lotter (freestyle)
• Arno Kruger (freestyle)
• Kian Keylock (individual medley and breaststroke)
• Catherine van Rensburg (freestyle)
• Hannah Robertson (400m freestyle)
• Kerryn Herbst (backstroke)

A standout moment was the performance of the women's 4 x 50m medley relay team—Kerryn Herbst (backstroke), Georgia Els (breaststroke), Caitlin de Lange (butterfly), and Emma Chelius (freestyle)—who set a new African and South African record, winning in 1:50.95.