A group of 25 Maties swimmers took part at the South African World Championship trials in Durban as part of Team Western Cape from 3-8 April.

Standout swims for the week included those by 3rd year BCom student Emma Chelius, who swam qualifying times for the Universiade (World Student games) in both the 50m (25.90) and 100m (56.75) freestyle on the way to two silver medals. She was also a silver medallist in the 50m butterfly event. The 29th Summer Universiade takes place in Taipei, Taiwan, in August.

Final year BEd student Marli Jacobs came away with an excellent 3rd place finish in the 200m butterfly (2:19.59). She also placed 6th in the 100m butterfly.

Other finalists at the event include Caitlin Kat (200m freestyle and 200 butterfly), Bryce Pendock (50m freestyle) and Stephano Roodt (800m freestyle).

The club's Para-athletes, including 2016 Paralympian Hendri Herbst (S11 – 50 and 100m freestyle), first-year Alani Ferreira (S13 – 400m freestyle and 100m breaststroke) and the up-and-coming Christian Sadie (S7), all achieved World Championship qualifying times. 

Sadie competed in his first major national competition and qualified in every event in which he swam, with the most notable being the three African Records he set in the 50m butterfly, 100m freestyle and the 200m IM. The World Para Swimming Championships take place in Mexico in October.

Other notable efforts include those of Inge Weidemann and Kiara Noades. Both these junior club members swam within the qualifying standards for the FINA Junior World Championships taking place in Indianapolis, USA, in August 2017. Both girls finished on the senior podium, with Inge coming 3rd in the women's 50m freestyle and Kiara 3rd in the women's 200m backstroke.

The 25 strong Maties contingent played a significant role in helping Team Western Cape to a first national team title.