Kapellen (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – De Platanen Primary School won Kapellen’s annual swimming marathon, with 206 students participating. Marianne Van de Weyer praised students’ efforts, supported by Sandra Snelders and Swimming Club Iloka Kapellen (ZIK).
As VRT News reported, students from Kapellen, in the province of Antwerp, Belgium, and nearby Hoevenen gathered at the municipal swimming pool on Saturday, Nov 15, 2025, for the annual swimming marathon. A total of 206 children from local primary schools and De Rekke School took part.
First and second graders played in the small pool. They threw as many balls as possible to the other side while standing on floating mats. Older students swam laps in the large pool. Parents were also invited to join.
“Students from the 1st to the 6th grade participate and compete against each other within each grade,”
says Sandra Snelders from the sports department in Kapellen
“Parents were also allowed to swim along to increase the average number of laps.”
Sandra Snelders, head of the sports department
Which school Won Kapellen’s Annual Swimming Marathon with 206 Students?
De Platanen Primary School won the victory trophy. The school had the highest percentage of students participating. After the event, children and parents enjoyed fresh waffles outside the pool.
The team from De Platanen Primary School celebrated with excitement after winning the annual swimming marathon in Kapellen. Noor (8):
“I thought it was really fun. We had to swim against older children, and I swam 10 laps.
Ylene (8):
“I also thought it was really fun. I like swimming because you get a lot of exercise.”
Raf (6) and Jeff (7) didn’t win, but they didn’t mind.
“We enjoyed it. We had to get the balls to the other side, and we were team red.”
Students cheered as they received the victory trophy. Marianne Van de Weyer, the school’s physical education teacher, said she is proud of the students. She explains,
“It’s sometimes difficult to convince students to swim, because they often have so many hobbies outside of school and little time left. At our school, every class goes swimming every two weeks.”
Marianne Van de Weyer added that it can be hard to motivate children to swim because they often have many hobbies outside of school. At De Platanen, every class goes swimming every 2 weeks.
“I think it’s important that they learn this well,”
says the teacher.
“Some schools don’t do that anymore. Receiving this award is therefore a wonderful recognition of our efforts to get as many children as possible swimming.”
The swimming marathon is held each year in Kapellen. It is organised in cooperation with Swimming Club Iloka Kapellen (ZIK), the main local swimming club. The club offers swimming lessons for children and adults, competitive training, and programs for all ages. The event takes place at the municipal swimming pool in Kapellen, which opened on December 15, 1979, and celebrated its 40th anniversary in December 2019.