Based at the GC Jolliffe Swimming Pool, Seals Swimming Club is one of South Africa’s most successful and respected swimming clubs, with a legacy of excellence spanning decades.

Seals is the only swimming club in South Africa to have produced an Olympic swimmer through its age-group development program at every Olympic Games since 1992. This remarkable achievement reflects a long-standing commitment to developing swimmers from their first competitive races through to international representation.

The club is also behind the world-renowned aQuelle Midmar Mile, the largest open-water swimming event in the world and one of South Africa’s most iconic sporting events, further cementing its place in the history and growth of South African swimming.

The club is led by Head Coach Wayne Riddin, one of the most experienced and successful coaches in South African swimming history. Wayne is a three-time Olympic coach for South Africa and has served as a High-Performance Coach in both South Africa and Australia. He is supported by Sibani Makhanya, one of South Africa’s leading swimming coaches.

For decades, Seals has been KwaZulu-Natal’s leading swimming club and has consistently ranked among the top three clubs in South Africa. The club’s influence extends beyond South Africa, with swimmers and programs represented in Botswana and Cameroon.

Seals have also established a proud tradition in Para swimming. Through the achievements of Alani Ferreira, one of South Africa’s leading Para swimmers, the club continues to demonstrate its commitment to excellence and inclusion across all areas of the sport. Alani is currently pursuing qualification for her fourth Paralympic Games in 2028, further highlighting the club’s ability to develop and support athletes competing at the highest international level.

Training sessions are structured to cater for all levels of competitive swimming:

• Senior Squads: Monday to Friday, 3:15pm – 5:00pm
• Junior Squads: Monday to Friday, 5:00pm – 6:30pm
• Saturday Training: 8:00am – 10:00am

In addition, Seals offers appropriately structured morning training programs for swimmers at all levels during various times of the year. These sessions provide additional opportunities for development, conditioning and performance preparation, ensuring that every swimmer has access to training suited to their age, experience and competitive goals.

Seals offer a complete swimming pathway, beginning with the Sports Academy Learn-to-Swim Program and progressing through age-group and elite performance squads. The club also boasts a thriving Master’s Program under the guidance of Carol Fourie and Ted Townsend, providing opportunities for swimmers of all ages to remain active, healthy and competitive.

An important part of the Seals success story is its partnership with Rita Townsend and the highly successful Athlone Learn-to-Swim and Junior Program in Pietermaritzburg. Together, these programs provide a proven development pathway that continues to produce provincial, national, Paralympic, Olympic and international swimmers.

Parents will always have choices when selecting the right swimming environment for their children. At Seals Swimming Club, our focus is on providing proven pathways and measurable results. From learn-to-swim through to provincial, national, Paralympic and Olympic representation, Seals has consistently demonstrated its ability to develop swimmers at every level.

Beyond success in the pool, Seals has also helped athletes access opportunities through the USA college scholarship system, opening doors to world-class education and competitive swimming programs. Whether a swimmer’s goal is personal improvement, national representation, university scholarship opportunities, or competing on the world stage, Seals provides the experience, structure and proven pathway to help make those ambitions a reality.

With the most experienced coaching team in the country, decades of proven success, a complete development pathway, and some of the lowest fees available, Seals Swimming Club continues to set the standard for excellence in South African swimming.

FROM LEARN-TO-SWIM TO USA SCHOLARSHIPS, PARALYMPIANS AND OLYMPIANS.

Where Champions Begin. Where Dreams Become Reality.

Celebrating 120 years in 2027!

The 2026-27 swim season started on May 1st 2026.  If you would like to become a Seals club member please visit this page to learn more.

Our updated Calender of Events will be coming soon.  Follow us on our socials Instagram and Facebook 

All persons using the Indoor and Learn To Swim Pools are required to be members of Seals Swimming Club. This is vital for indemnity, communication and accounting purposes. 

Seals Office Hours: Mon-Fri | 09h00-17h00

Tel: 033 341 0790 | Email: admin@sealsswimclub.co.za