#TuksSwimming: Callan Lötter crowned the 2026 aQuellé Midmar Mile women's title winner

Callan Lötter ensured Tuks' women's swimmers achieved a unique hat trick early this month, winning the women's title at the 2026 aQuellé Midmar Mile.

It's almost a case of a new year with new challenges, but the result remains the same. It's a Tukkie who wins the women's race. Last year, Catherine van Rensburg won, and in 2024, Torry Earle won. For the record, Stephanie Houtman was the champion in 2022.

Sunday was the second consecutive year that Tuks' women's swimmers finished first, second and third. Lötter's winning time was 19 minutes and 51 seconds. Stephanie Houtman was second in 20:02 and Carli Antonopoulos third in 20:07.

Lötter's victory marks a significant accomplishment for her.

"Virtually all the big names in South African open water swimming can boast a Midmar Mile victory. The fact that I was able to do it on Sunday is very special. It just shows that my training has been working, and I'm really happy with how I performed," she added, paying tribute to her coach, Troyden Prinsloo.

Lötter mastered the rough conditions perfectly and made her move early. She was already well out in front by the 400m mark and continued to stretch the gap to the chasing pack. By halfway, the 19-year-old was 12 seconds in front, and she had extended that lead to 19 seconds by the final marker at 1200 m.

According to her, she had no intention of going out that hard so early on.

"My coach, Troyden, and I decided that I would swim the first few hundred meters at a comfortable pace. Last year, I made the mistake of starting too fast. It cost me. The plan for Sunday was to start swimming at a leisurely pace and then gradually increase the tempo from the 400-meter mark. But it is important to adapt your strategy in open-water swimming. I prefer not to experience pressure during my swimming. When I noticed the swimmers were starting fast, I accelerated to build a lead so I could swim my race."

Lötter's next big challenge is next month when she competes in the South African Open Water Championships in Jeffreys Bay. She made a clean sweep last year by winning the 10 km, 5 km, and 1.5 km races as well as the 3 km knockout.

Matthew Caldwell won the men's race in 18:32. Tuks's Henre Louw was second in 18:42, and Connor Albertyn was third in 18:44.

Albertyn's dad, Gary (the hpc Financial Head at Tuks), won the 51-60 age group. He is also one of only two swimmers to complete the gruelling task of swimming 32 miles over four days.

There was also more to celebrate for the Albertyns from Pretoria. Mom Megan finished her race in 23:06 to ensure they collect the family title for a sixth time.

Asked whether winning 10 is part of the plan, Megan reckoned, "It's going to depend on Gary. He went a bit rogue when he did 32 miles instead of 16… So as long as he manages his craziness, I think we can keep winning."