27 March 2023
Clifton swimmers, in the primary school, high school, and a young old boy, have been making big waves recently on the national stage, capturing five national titles between them.
For Nathan Burger, his outstanding exploits have come in both swimming and lifesaving.
Competing in the South African National Junior Swimming Championships at Kings Park, which took place from 21 to 25 March, he did the double in the under-14 breaststroke, capturing both the 50 metres and 100 metres titles.
Nathan also starred at the recent KZN Lifesaving Championships, picking up two wins, a second place, a third place, two fourths and a fifth in the under-15 age group. Those results saw Nathan, who competes for the Marine Lifesaving Club, finishing third overall in his age group.
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It should be mentioned, too, that Nicholas Taylor, who is in the primary school, in grade 7, also won a South African national title, swimming a personal best time to claim the under-12 200 metres backstroke honours.
National open water champion
And to top it all off, just two weeks earlier, Old Cliftonian Connor Buck was crowned national champion in the 5km and 10km open water swim, thus qualifying to represent South Africa at the 2023 World Championships. In 2022, he had just missed out, finishing as runner-up in both events.
In February he successfully defended the aQuellé Midmar Mile title. Press Ctrl and enter to read about it.
At the South African Open Water Swimming Championships, he won the 10km in 1:59:22.59, holding off Byron Kimber, who finished in 10:59:23.34, in a sprint finish.
A day later, Buck was a more convincing winner in the 5km, taking gold in 57:23.70, comfortably clear of Matthew Caldwell, the second-place finisher, who clocked 57:49.69.
“Super-excited”
Speaking to Swimming South Africa afterwards, Buck said: “I’m super-excited. Obviously, last year I was just beaten in both races, so to claim first place this time for both, I’m super-happy.
“It’s the first time I’ve got an overall title at Open Water Nationals, and I’ve been wanting it for a long time,” he added.
Not only a star in the water, but also an excellent academic, Buck will be taking on a degree in actuarial science at Princeton University after the World Championships, which take place in Fukuoka, Japan, in July.
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