National Age Groups 2022 - Durban
SA National Age Groups took place at The Barbara Dowell Aquatics Center at Durban Girls College in Durban from 8 to 12 December 2022.
Team Phoenix teamed up with Cosmo Dolphins one of the clubs we are assisting to start Artistic Swimming in Johannesburg. Our team of 6 athletes competed in 7 events, being Novice Figures 13 to18, 12&U Figures and Solo, Youth Figures and Solo, Senior Tech Solo and Senior Free Duet. Each of the athletes had specific focus areas and goals based on their short and medium term career plans and they exceeded their goals in every event. Below are a selection of pictures and videos from the event.
Kenzie Malan (Cosmo Dolphins CGA) 12&U Free Solo
Kenzie presented her new solo to an excited audience. At the age of 10 in 2012 Kenzie won the 12&U Figures and Duet competitions and this represented her first solo appearance at NAG.
At age 11 this year Kenzie again won the Figures competition and followed that up with victory in the 12&U Solo event.
Kenzie Malan 12&U Free Solo
NAG 22 Kenzie 12&U Solo
Jadi Malan (Cosmo Dolphins CGA) Youth Free Solo
Jadi swam her first Age Groups Solo at this event. Coming back after a 4 month injury lay off, Jadi produced a lovely routine to place an excellent 3rd at Age 13 in the Youth 13-15 Age Group.
NAG 22 Jadi 13 15 Solo
Laura Strugneel and Ayrton Sweeney Senior Free Mixed Duet
Olympian Laura Strugnell teamed up with SA speed swimmer Ayrton Sweeney in an historic moment for the sport in SA. Swimming the first ever Mixed Duet. They did not disappoint the eager crowd with a super routine earning them a ticket to the World Championships.
Laura Strugnell and Ayrton Sweeney Senior Free Mixed Duet
Kaitlyn Doms (WCA) and Kate Jarvis (KZN) - Junior Technical Duet
Team Phoenix was delighted to assist by coaching Kaitlyn and Kate their Technical Duet. The routine was originally a Free routine, but a last minute competition rule change meant they were forced to change to a Technical routine the night before their last training weekend. The routine was re-choreographed by Vicky and taught to Kaitlyn and Kate in 1 day with only a few days of extra practice before the Nationals competition. This required expert coaching and focused, dedicated, extremely hard work by Kaitlyn and Kate.
Team Phoenix was proud of the way Kaitlyn and Kate rose to the challenge and swam superbly at Nationals to win Gold with a score of 58.7484 - which qualifies them for Junior World Championships. Interestingly the International judges gave a score of over 60. Definitely a duet to watch in the future.
Kaitlyn Doms and Kate Jarvis Junior Technical Duet
Chloe Dundas-Starr (KZN) - Senior Free Solo
Vicky was thrilled to work with Chloe on her Free Routine. Carefully choreographed to maximise Chole's strengths in the water, Vicky and Chloe worked on improving execution and impression. From Nationals last year these scores improved by 5 points. Even though illness and University commitments meant that training times were limited, Chloe swam extremely well to earn Silver with a score of 62.4667. It was noteworthy that her score from the international judges was 64.95, a fantastic achievement.
Video will be uploaded as soon as we receive it.
Jadi and Kenzie Malan (CGA) - Level 3 13-15 Free Duet
This was the last time Jadi and Kenzie would swim their "Olaf" routine competitively, with a new exciting routine in the wings. "Olaf", swum to the music of "Frozen" with it's clever story line and choreography, has proven to be a crowd favourite since it was first performed at Age Groups in December, where they won Gold in the U12 Age Group.
As the only entrants in Level 3 the focus was on enjoying swimming the routine and it capped off a successful week for Jadi and Kenzie, who at the Ages of 11 and 12, have a bright future ahead of them.
Jadi and Kenzie Malan Level 3 13-15 Free Duet
