Swimming has always been more than a sport for Pietermaritzburg – it has been a heartbeat of the community. With the announcement that Seals Swimming Club will move to AquaPark, South Africa’s first Olympic-standard aquatic facility, a new era begins. This partnership represents more than a change of venue. It’s the powerful meeting of tradition and innovation, where a proud legacy merges with bold ambition to transform the future of aquatics in South Africa.
Founded in 1907, Seals Swimming Club has stood as a cornerstone of Pietermaritzburg’s sporting identity for more than a century. Under the leadership of Wayne Riddin for the past 34 years, Seals has grown into one of KwaZulu-Natal’s premier clubs, producing swimmers who have gone on to shine at both national and international levels. Riddin’s unwavering dedication and mentorship have not only shaped athletes but also strengthened the entire swimming community, cementing Seals’ reputation as a club built on excellence, resilience, and legacy.
This heritage has created a foundation of excellence, one that is now poised to grow even stronger at AquaPark.
AquaPark was conceived with a single mission: to transform South African aquatics by creating a world-class facility that serves everyone. With its 50m Myrtha Olympic-standard pool featuring a movable bulkhead, AquaPark can host both long course and short course competitions, while also supporting high-performance training, school galas, and community wellness programmes.
The vision is simple yet powerful – access, excellence, and transformation. AquaPark is for elite athletes chasing podium finishes, for children learning to swim for the first time, and for families embracing health, safety, and wellness. It is the natural next home for Seals, a place where its tradition of excellence can be amplified on a larger, more impactful stage.
Every great partnership has a story. The alignment between Seals and AquaPark was built on a shared belief: Pietermaritzburg deserves the best in aquatics, both for its history and its future.
What is clear is that this was never just a logistical move, it was a strategic choice to elevate swimming in Pietermaritzburg and across KwaZulu-Natal.
The move of Seals to AquaPark is about creating opportunity at every level.
Together, Seals and AquaPark are setting the stage for transformation that will ripple far beyond the pool deck.
As Seals begins its new chapter at AquaPark, Pietermaritzburg finds itself at the centre of South African aquatics. This partnership blends heritage with innovation, passion with purpose, and local pride with global standards.
It is more than a move. It is a milestone.
Join us in celebrating this moment and in building a future where swimming thrives for generations to come.
Follow the journey. Be part of the future.