Rising stars make waves at the Curro AquaElite Gala
09 October 2025Cheers echoed off the pool walls as South Africa’s brightest young swimmers dived into three days of fierce competition at the Curro AquaElite Gala, held from 3 to 5 October at Curro Hillcrest’s Olympic-size heated pool. The event, which was hosted in partnership with Aquazone Swimming Club, brought together elite swimmers from across the country.
A national stage for young talent
Now in its third year, the Curro AquaElite Gala has become a flagship event on South Africa’s schools’ swimming calendar. It provides a professional platform for young athletes to compete while earning valuable world aquatic points that contribute to high-performance rankings and future international participation.
Over the course of the event, 368 swimmers competed across three age groups – 13 and under, 14-15, and 16-19 years. Schools from KwaZulu-Natal, the Free State, Western Cape, and Gauteng sent their strongest teams, with six Curro schools contributing nearly 40% of the field: Curro Hillcrest, Curro Hazeldean, Curro Durbanville, HeronBridge College, Curro Thatchfield, and Curro Bloemfontein.
Strength and spirit in the water
As the final races concluded, the atmosphere was electric. Record-breaking times and thrilling finishes reflected the quality of competition and the promise of South Africa’s future swimmers. ‘The standard of swimming at all levels is something to be proud of,’ said Curro Sports Portfolio Manager, Cindy van der Merwe. ‘Somewhere among these competitors could be a future Olympic champion. The support, camaraderie, and friendships that surround the event make it special and the ideal platform for these boys and girls to take their talents further.’
Top performances recognised
The Best Performance trophies went to Curro Hazeldean’s Tiaan Geldenhuys and Herschel Girls School’s Cassidy Burgess, who demonstrated exceptional consistency throughout the meet.
Team and individual awards celebrated excellence across all categories:
Team Awards
| Award | Primary School | High School |
| Best Girls’ Team | Meisieskool Oranje | Meisieskool Oranje |
| Best Boys’ Team | Glenwood Preparatory School | Grey College |
| Best Co-Ed Team | Glenwood Preparatory School | Northcliff High School |
Individual Awards
| Award |
Name |
School |
|
U13 Top Points Scorer (Female) |
Megan Jacobs |
St. Mary's Diocesan School for Girls |
|
U13 Top Points Scorer (Male) |
Michael Bright |
|
|
U15 Top Points Scorer (Female) |
Taylor Foster Emma Oosthuizen Hannah-Grace Havinga |
Hoërskool Waterkloof Cornwall Hill College |
|
U15 Top Points Scorer (Male) |
Ernst Bezuidenhout Tiaan Geldenhuys |
|
|
U19 Top Points Scorer (Female) |
Cassidy Burgess |
Herschel Girls School
|
|
U19 Top Points Scorer (Male) |
Jake Borrageiro |
|
|
Best Performance by a (Male) |
Tiaan Geldenhuys |
|
|
Best Performance by a Female |
Cassidy Burgess |
Herschel Girls School
|
|
Skins Event Results Male
|
1st - Philip le Roux 4th - Juan Calitz |
Hoërskool Sentraal Grey College |
|
Skins Event Results Female |
1st - Annebel Stewart 2nd - Gizelle Maritz 3rd - Cassidy Burgess 4th - Leah Markgraaff |
Herschel Girls School |