If there is one thing Amica de Jager loves, it is to test her physical skills against the challenges of swimming in oceans.
Judging by the sports results of the Tuks MSc Computer Science student has fine-tuned the art of getting the better of rip currents and choppy swells.
It has led to her winning numerous national titles in live-saving tournaments over the last eight years. She has even medalled at World Champs.
Last year was special. Not only did De Jager get to win the South African women’s 10km open water race. She also represented South Africa at the World Live Saving Championships and the World Open Water Championships. At the end of the month, the Tuks swimmer is again off to compete internationally. She will compete at the African Beach Games in Tunisia. De Jager will also be in action at the World Swimming Champs, competing in the 5km and 10km events.
She is not one to make bold predictions about winning medals.
“I can only promise that I will try to swim at my absolute best. Nothing worthy in life comes for free or is easily obtained. One must dedicate oneself to the process. Hopefully, the journey and all its obstacles will make the destination priceless. I constantly strive for perfection and have an insatiable thirst for knowledge and self-improvement.
“The road less travelled has always been the road for me. I want to do something extraordinary with my life. It is why I am motivated every time I read Colin Kaepernick’s (Nike) quote, “Don’t ask if your dreams are crazy – ask if they are crazy enough”. It is what keeps me pushing the boundaries.”
De Jager readily admits that she is a “Water baby”. Seemingly like a moth can’t resist circling around the flickering flame of a candle, she can’t wait to be in the water. If she is not working, studying or training, you will find her between the waves on her surfboard. To her, that is the ultimate way to relax.
According to the Tuks student, becoming an open water swimmer did not just happen.
“At first, I was genuinely scared to do so. I want to know what is underneath me when I swim. In open water swimming, that is only sometimes possible. So at first, I only swam from bank to bank. As my confidence grew, I got to be more adventurous. Swimming one kilometre, then three, slowly working my way up to swim 10km.