CHAD POOLS

Chad le Clos and Chad Ho, two of the School’s most famous Old Boys, have been honoured through the naming of the two pools which form part of the magnificent new WBHS Aquatics Centre.

Chad and Chad performed the unveiling of the plaques bearing their names in front of a large crowd on Tuesday 4 February 2014.

Headmaster Trevor Hall had this to say about them: “There is no doubt that the two Chads epitomise the characteristics of the Westville boy that the School seeks to nurture – integrity, modesty, commitment, resilience, courage, respect for others, self-respect and quiet confidence. Both have been and continue to be fine role models for fellow WBHS pupils. Through their commitment in working towards achieving their goals in Swimming, they have created WBHS history. In addition to their wonderful attributes, their achievements are legendary, and we therefore had no hesitation in honouring them in perpetuity. ”

Chad le Clos captured the imagination of all South Africans when he snatched the Olympic Gold Medal from legend Michael Phelps in the final of the 200m Butterfly event at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.  Although this was an iconic race for Chad and South Africa, all at WBHS are aware of the sacrifices he has made along his path from junior ranks in Grade 8 through to the World Champion status that he ultimately achieved while still a school pupil.

Chad Ho is the only Westville schoolboy to be selected for the Olympic Games while still a pupil at WBHS, having been chosen to represent the country at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Chad put in a creditable performance in the 10km open-water swim at that event. In 2011 he annexed the title of World 5-km Open-Water champion. His success in long-distance and open-water Swimming, particularly the Midmar Mile with four wins in the past four years, establishes him as a long distance Swimmer in this country without peer.