Matie swimmer smashes Ryk Neethling's 13 year old record
December 15, 2009 
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Heerden Herman, the 18-year old Matie swimmer, was in devastating form at the recent SASKO WP Swimming Championships.
The current junior world champion in the 800m freestyle led from the gun to smash Ryk Neethling’s SA record for 18-year olds by more than 10 seconds. Ryk’s record has stood for thirteen years after it was established at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, where he finished 5th overall.
Heerden also improved on his own WP senior record, but ended just over 3 seconds short of Neethling’s Senior SA record which was established while swimming in the final of the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000. 
Heerden is one of the fortunate South African swimmers who will be travelling to Potsdam in Germany for the first collaborative distance training camp between Germany, Russia and South Africa in January. Other South Africans such as world championship open water medalist Chad Ho, Olympian Riaan Schoeman, Olympic finalist Jean Basson, as well as Natalie du Toit, will also be travelling to Germany to test their strength against the power houses of distance swimming in the world.
hello Heerden,
Huuuuge Congratulations! and this without a ‘swim suit’. I am fully stoked for you. ‘My hart voel vol vir jou’. May training always be a challenge, may you remain passionate about swimming, may you know your limit …. swim with grace!
Read my HOME page please. if you would like to add a COMMENT and supply me with a photo I would humbly be greatful.
As you see Penny Heyns was the only person who took the time and happily supports Water Safety. All the other ‘champs’ turned this opportunity down.