The Bank Windhoek, Namibia Aquatic Sports Federation's (NASFED) fourth Long Course Gala, held over the past weekend, set new swimming records as over 100 athletes competed in 34 swimming events. The Gala was hosted at Olympia Swimming Pool in Windhoek from Friday, 14 March to Saturday, 15 March 2025.
Roselinda Matyayi from Aqua Swimming and Fitness Club set a record for the 13-14 Girls 50 metre Backstroke with a time of 30.61 seconds. Jessica Humphrey from Aqua Swimming and Fitness Club set a record for the 13-14 Girls 50 metre Backstroke with a time of 29.25 seconds.
Oliver Durand from Dolphins Swimming Club set the following two records: -17-18 Men's metre 50 Butterfly Category with a time of 25.45 seconds. 17-18 Men's 100 Butterfly Category with a time of 56.30 seconds.
A swimming gala is a swimming competition, often between clubs or groups. It is also known as a swimming carnival. In a swimming gala, swimmers, usually young people, compete against each other in various swimming events. There are different levels of competition, from easy to top-level galas, and they can be short courses (25metre pool) or long courses (50metre pool).
NASFED's Public Relations Officer, Carol-Anne Esterhuizen, said that galas are a great way to get everyone involved in swimming as a whole group, helping people of all abilities have fun and meet others. “The Bank Windhoek, Namibia Aquatic Sports Federation (NASFED) Long Course Gala, held at Olympia Swimming Pool in Windhoek, is an example of a swimming gala, offering a platform to swimmers to compete at the national and international levels.
Next on the Namibia Aquatic Sports Federation's calendar is the national championships that will take place in April.
