Schwengle’s endeavour and passion for open water swimming were evident as she shared her excitement with World Aquatics after the event.

"I felt way faster than the 10km. So, it was great. It was a great race," she said enthusiastically.

Reflecting on the challenges of the race, she mentioned, "The race conditions started pretty good. And then I got a little bit hot, but I've had worse, so it wasn't too bad. The longer you swim, the hotter your body gets. Other than that, I felt good. I love it."

Schwengle faced fierce competition at the World Aquatics Championships, rubbing shoulders with her idols, Sharon Van Rouwendaal (NED) and Ana Marcela Cunha (BRA), both world-class swimmers. Inspired by these champions, Schwengle dreams of becoming a top-tier swimmer herself.

"It's amazing for me just seeing them. Just like, I feel accomplished already," Schwengle shared.

Swimming has been a part of Schwengle's life since she was a baby. Growing up in a fisherman's family, she was introduced to the water when she was just six months old, following a tradition where infants are playfully dunked into the ocean. This early immersion in open water led her to naturally embrace swimming at a young age. By the time she was eight, she was already competing in swimming events.

Unlike most swimmers, Schwengle's training initially took place in the ocean, where her family frequently fished and swam. She eventually transitioned to pool training, improving her technique and skills. Her first open water race was at CCCAN in 2018 in Aruba, where she competed in the 5km race, and from there, her passion for open water swimming only grew.

Before her races, Schwengle pumps up with her favorite rock songs, including "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen, and tunes from The Flames and Slipknot, to get into the zone and feel ‘unstoppable’.

With the support of the World Aquatics Scholarship programme, Schwengle has been able to attend major competitions and train with various coaches, including her uncles and older friends, who are experienced swimmers in the ocean. Grateful for the program, she emphasized its positive impact on both her physical capabilities and mental state.

"The scholarship programme helped me with being exposed to bigger meets and exposed to amazing people that helped me work on what I wanted, and what I want to do for my goal and for my dream. And as well as it helped me on my physique, my mental state of mind, and it made me stronger overall," Schwengle expressed.

Representing her country, Aruba, in the sport of open water swimming is a matter of pride for Schwengle, and she sees it as an opportunity to inspire others in her small country. She looks up to her fellow swimmers, including her cousin and Davy Bisslik, who introduced her to open water swimming at a young age, and she aspires to compete alongside them.

As the young Aruban swimmer continues to make waves in the international swimming scene, her journey serves as an inspiration to many, and she remains humble and appreciative of the support she receives from her family and her nation. Britta Schwengle's passion for open water swimming, nurtured by her fisherman family, is a testament to the power of pursuing one's dreams and the potential for greatness that lies within us all.

"I can't believe I'm here. It's just dreams come true already," Schwengle expressed her gratitude and excitement for being part of the World Aquatics Championships alongside her idols from Netherland, Brazil and more. “I feel like I've grown so much in a short amount of time. And I hope I continue in this because it's amazing. So I really look up to them. And I hope I get to get closer to them sooner or later. Maybe be next to them on the podium one day, who knows?”

Her eyes are now set on the upcoming Pan American Games in El Salvador and the World Aquatics Championships in Doha, where she aims to continue her remarkable journey in the world of open water swimming.

About the World Aquatics Scholarship Programme

Launched in 2014 with the aim of increasing the level of aquatics athletes in countries around the globe, the World Aquatics Scholarship Programme has just announced the scholarship recipient athletes for its tenth season. The main goal of the World Aquatics Scholarships Programme is to identify and create an optimal training environment for athletes aspiring to represent their countries at the next World Aquatics Championships and the Olympic Games. The programme aims to support athletes with greater needs and help them reach their full potential.