It will be a case of fools rushing in where angels fear to tread tomorrow when the 20-year-old Tory Earle runs into the sea to compete at the World Open Water Championships' 10km race in Fukuoka, Japan.

The Tuks swimmer is certainly no fool. She is studying chemical engineering, after all. It is just that it is the first time that she will compete at the World Aquatics Championships.

"I don't know what to expect. But I am up for the challenge. I have put in long, hard hours in the pool. On some days, we train for up to four hours.

"You can ask any swimmer. They will tell you that our relationship with our sport is pretty much a love-hate affair. More so when you train for an event like the world championships. It does get tough. Obviously, there were afternoons when I had zero motivation to dive back in. Especially when I had a long, hard day on campus.

"There were two things that kept me going. The first is my love of challenging myself to the utmost. It is one of the reasons I took open-water swimming.

"The second is the TuksSwimming Club. Three years ago, it felt like my swimming career was in a rut. I did not enjoy what I did. I knew I could do better than the results I was getting. It was time for a change. I decided to come to Tuks because, as far as I am concerned, it is the best club in South Africa.

"It is a decision I have not regretted. The Tuks coaches and support staff are amazing. It is also inspiring to train with some of the world's best. There is fantastic camaraderie in the pool. That helps motivate you and makes pushing yourself to your limits easier during training."

Earle's words are supported by her results at the South African Open Water Championships. Swimming fast and far is one of the goals for Tuks' female swimmers. They made a clean sweep at the Marina Martinique near Jeffreys Bay, competing in the 10-kilometre event. Seventeen-year-old Callan Lotter won the 10-kilometre event in 2 hours, 8 minutes, and 54 seconds. Earle was second in swimming at 2:08:55. The defending champion, Amica de Jager, was third, clocking 2:09:01.

Asked what it takes to be a competitive open-water swimmer, Earle said there is no getting away from the fact that it is mentally and physically demanding.

"You never know what to expect. Each race comes with its own unique challenges. One must ensure one gets off to a fast start in each race. Those first few moments of the race are hectic…There is a real chance you will be dipped under as someone swims over you. Then you will never catch up with the leaders.

"The only thing I can promise for tomorrow is to give it my all."

Amica de Jager is the other Tuks swimmer competing tomorrow at the World Championships. She recently won the 5-kilometre open-water swim at the African Beach Games in Tunisia.

Tatjana Schoenmaker and Emma Chelius will compete in the pool, while Tuks's Shakira January and Esihle Zondo will be in action for the women's water polo team at the World Champs.