KNYSNA NEWS - Knysna sailor Nathan Morton (17) has made a strong impression at national level after competing in his first South African Junior National Sailing Championships, despite only starting to sail competitively in mid-2025. 

The championships were held in Hermanus from 14 to 19 December 2025 and attracted 159 sailors with 149 boats from across South Africa, as well as a team from Zimbabwe, competing in various dinghy classes.

Nathan, who began competitive sailing in June 2025, raced in the single-handed ILCA6 fleet, completing all 12 races over the six-day regatta. 

“You control your own path on the water, everything slows down and it’s like therapy.” He achieved one 12th-place finish and three 13th-place results, securing an impressive 14th overall position out of 22 sailors. 

The event was Nathan’s first appearance at a national championship. “I didn’t expect to perform so well this round,” Nathan said. “Taking part and just having the opportunity to take part meant a lot to me.” 

Conditions in Hermanus proved challeng ing throughout the week. Nathan said the most difficult aspect of the regatta was the constantly shifting wind, which demanded full concentration at all times. 

While recorded wind speeds reached 22 knots, conditions on the water often felt closer to Knysna sailor Nathan Morton in action during the South African Junior National Sailing Championships in Hermanus, where he competed in the single handed ILCA6 fleet in his first national-level event. 28 knots. 

At other times, there was little to no wind during training sessions. Beyond the demanding conditions, Nathan highlighted the experience itself as the most rewarding part of the championships. 

He said he would not have been able to compete without the support of the Knysna Yacht Club and the wider sailing community. Nathan does not yet own a boat and has trained and competed using as many as eight different loaned boats. 

For the national championships, the club arranged a boat from outside its fleet through a community member to ensure he could take part. “There are no words to express how grateful I am,” Nathan said.

The championships also proved to be a personal milestone. Nathan said he made lasting friendships through the club and at the regatta, and discovered a new level of mental and physical resilience. “

I learned that I’m much tougher than I thought I was on Boshoff brothers make waves Kyla Lang KNYSNA - Early mornings, long training sessions and countless laps in the pool are paying off for Knysna brothers Keanu (14) and Mickayle (13) Boshoff, who have enjoyed a standout season in competitive swimming, collecting medals and setting personal bests across the Western Cape. 

Competing at the Eden Long Course Championships in Oudtshoorn in November 2025, Keanu delivered a dominant performance, finishing the meet with seven gold and three bronze medals. 

His momentum continued at the Western Cape Long Course A Championships in Malmesbury in December, where he raced against the fastest swimmers in the province, claiming gold in the 100m freestyle, silver in the 50m freestyle, and bronze medals in both the 50m and 100m butterfly. also enjoyed a breakthrough year. 

At the Eden Aquatics Long Course Championships, he won gold in the 200m butterfly, silver in the 400m freestyle, and bronze medals in the 100m butterfly and 200m freestyle.

At the Western Cape Long Course Championships in Malmesbury, he continued his strong form, winning bronze medals in the 400m freestyle and 100m butterfly before clinching gold in the 200m butterfly. said Mickayle. 

For Keanu, having his dad as a coach is a strength. “My dad is one of the greatest coaches, and as a father he’s even better. I look up to him as both a father and a coach,” he said. For Francois, the line between disci pline and parenting is one he constantly navigates. “It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done,” he said. “I always try to be their dad first.” the water,” he said. Nathan trains during the winter months and competes in summer. 

Since the nationals, he has transitioned to sailing a Hobie 16 and is now preparing for the Hobie National Championships later this year. 

What keeps him committed to the sport, he said, is the sense of freedom it offers. “You control your own path on the water. There are no people around, everything slows down and it’s like therapy.

‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’