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 tomorrow 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 a World Championships.
“I don’t know what to expect. But I am up for the challenge. I have put in the long hard hours in the pool. On some days, we have trained for up to four hours.
“You can ask any swimmer. They will tell you 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 to challenge myself to the utmost. It is one of the reasons I took open water swimming.
“The second is the TuksSwim Club. Three years back, it felt like my swim career was in a rut. I did not enjoy what I did. I knew I could be 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 the results of the South African Open Water Championships. Swimming fast and far is one of the fortes 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 10km event in 2 hours, 8 minutes and 54 seconds. Earle was second 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 a demanding sport.
“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. If you are out slowly. 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 Champs. She recently won the 5km 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.