Chazél Orton

Tell us about your earliest swimming memory.

Going to the beach with my parents and grandparents when I was around three years old.

Why is swimming such a special sport for you?

Swimming is an individual sport, but you are always part of a team. Swimmers understand the value of hard work and patience, and as a result, they develop two of the most vital life skills for today's teens and young adults.

Which of your achievements are you the proudest of and why?

My 1500m Freestyle event at the 2021 SA Regional Championships. I broke the North West Provincial record for girls 16 years old, which had stood since 2003. My time honestly surprised me.

How do you stay motivated throughout the season?

Whenever I need to sleep in or skip a training session, I remind myself that I could be only one training session away from being the best. And who doesn’t want strong shoulders?

What are your goals for the year ahead?

My goal for the next season is to be even faster in my main events, the 800m and 1500m freestyle. I want to participate in the SA Snr Nationals 2023, and it will be a dream come true if I am selected to present my country at the CANA Zone IV Championships 2022.

In which events can we expect to see you take part?

NW LC and SC Championships, together with SA SC Championships and Nationals.

What do you do to prepare for a race?

I make sure to listen to my coach and follow the training program as expected of me. Nutrition is VERY important to me, eating the right food at the right time and fuelling my body throughout the day. I try to get as much sleep as possible to have the energy to do my training sets with maximum effort. Luckily, I don’t have a problem with sleeping. As race day gets closer, I stay in a positive mindset to mentally prepare myself. And lastly, I put all my training, eating, sleeping, and racing in God’s hands.

Apart from swimming, what do you do for fun?

I like to read and connect with friends and family. Marvel movies are also on my fun list.

Why are you excited to be a part of the Speedo family?

I have been absolutely in love with the Speedo brand since I could hold my breath underwater. Speedo makes the most beautiful and comfortable racers on the market. To be part of Team Speedo is a privilege, and it is even better to promote the brand that has helped me achieve all my personal best times and break a few records; that is AWESOME!