Joshua Esterhuysen

Tell us about your earliest swimming memory.

I started water safety by hanging on pool noodles and diving to retrieve tiny objects from the bottom of the pool.  I wanted to one day get stroke training to swim from one side of the pool to the other side!

Why is swimming such a special sport for you?

Swimming is a special sport because swimmers are hardworking, motivated, and highly disciplined. The environment is positive, and the swimmers are inspiring and kind to each other. I am part of a wonderful team, and we support each other through the highs and the lows.

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

I am incredibly proud of my 200m freestyle final race in Level 2 at Oudtshoorn in 2018. I raced in lane 7, which is the slowest lane, and when I finished, I looked next to me, and there was nobody at the wall. My heart sank. I thought I miscalculated the lengths and finished too early. I then heard the crowd shouting and cheering and realised I had won the race! I am proud of this achievement because it is a reminder to myself that I can achieve the impossible through the grace of God.

How do you stay motivated throughout the season?

It motivates me to prove people wrong who think I cannot make a success of my swimming. I set high goals for myself, and then I work towards them. I have short term goals, and I have long term goals. My mother is my biggest fan and encourages me when I feel unmotivated. Her support keeps me committed.

What are your goals for the year ahead?

To stay focused on my performance and keep up the intensive training with my excellent coaches to compete at local, provincial, and national level competitions and work towards my goals.

What do you do to prepare for a race?

I make sure I get enough sleep and listen to music.  I use the power of visualisation to experience the race beforehand so that when I finally dive in, there is nothing left to think about.

Apart from swimming, what do you do for fun?

Besides swimming, I love to play basketball and soccer, speed down the road on my skateboard and hang out with my friends.

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

I love the Speedo gear and racing suits. I am excited to be part of the Speedo family. They have excellent swimmers on their team, and I am proud to be part of them.