Fifteen-year-old Amy Hartung has made waves on the local swimming scene, etching her name in the record books as the first junior woman to claim the overall women’s section title in the 3 km swim at the Orca Harbour to Harbour Swim in Gordon’s Bay last month.
This historic victory, described by Hartung as a “really proud moment”, marks a significant achievement in the teen’s sport of choice.
Hartung, a lifelong aquatic enthusiast who was water-safe by the age of nine months, has been a formidable force in the water since joining the Aqua Sharks Swimming Club at the tender age of five.
“I loved any form of water sport from a very early age,” she recounts, a passion that has clearly propelled her to the top.
Amy Hartung
The Rhenish Girls’ High School learner’s dominant performance in the 3 km race saw her finish an impressive sixth overall and she was the first junior woman to cross the line. Describing the event, Hartung painted a picture of ideal conditions: “The water was a temperature which I enjoyed, the sea was calm and clear, and it was a beautiful swim.”
Beyond her individual triumph, Hartung also played a pivotal role in the winning 4 x 400m relay team, successfully defending their title from the previous year. “It was fabulous,” she exclaimed, clearly relishing the team victory alongside her personal success.
Interestingly, Hartung admits that exercise wasn’t always her preferred activity outside of the pool. “I didn’t enjoy exercise that was not in the water,” she confessed, playfully adding, “I still don’t enjoy running – so if you see me running, then please help as I’m being chased.”
A turning point came with her introduction to triathlons at school. This introduced her to open water swimming, a discipline that ignited an “absolute passion” for competing in the sea, dams, and rivers.
Under the guidance of Clinton le Sueur at Aqua Sharks, Hartung maintains a rigorous training regimen, dedicating up to nine sessions per week during peak season, complemented by workouts in the gym.
Looking ahead, Hartung has ambitious goals. In March, she secured a bronze medal in the 7,5 km at the South African National Open Water Championships and aims to improve her time and placing in that event in future.
For aspiring young athletes who may be struggling to find their stride, Hartung offers valuable advice: “Start off with realistic, small goals and work up to the bigger goals as you improve. For me it’s always been about hard work beating talent, when talent doesn’t work hard.”
