Veteran swimming coach Joe Hillstrom, 74, hopes to leave a legacy behind of encouraging more people to take part in the sport.

Hillstrom, who started swimming at the age of eight, recalls a story of how he almost nearly drowned on his first attempt.

“I was rescued and I was in hospital for two days to recover. That wasn’t a really good start to my swimming career. I know when anybody is a little nervous because I have been there.” he said.

The coach has been a member of Amakhosi Swimming Club for 30 years and said he had taught about 85,000 people during his career.