03/06/2026
Meet PEA Swimming Club Coach: Michelle Cremer
If there is one person who can truly say she was born into swimming, it's PEA Swimming Club coach Michelle Cremer. In fact, swimming was part of Michelle's life before she could even walk. With a mother who started coaching swimming a year before Michelle was born, it was only natural that the pool would become her second home.
Whilst in Brits, Michelle's family had a 25-meter swimming pool in their backyard, making swimming a daily part of life. "We practically lived in the pool," she laughed. When the family later moved to Gqeberha, very little changed, and Michelle continued swimming competitively, eventually reaching what is now known as the SANJ level.
Her competitive swimming journey continued until the age of 16 when an unexpected challenge arose. Michelle discovered she was allergic to heated pools, making training and racing increasingly difficult. Although her competitive swimming career came to an end, her passion for the sport certainly didn't.
When it comes to favorite strokes, Michelle doesn't hesitate. Butterfly wins hands down.
"It's such a beautiful and powerful stroke," she says. "I absolutely loved swimming it."
As for the stroke she'd rather not coach? Breaststroke gets the nod.
"I was terrible at it!" she admits with a laugh. "I honestly think I went backwards every time I kicked. You either have the breaststroke kick, or you don't."
Of course, every coach has their training essentials, and for Michelle there is no debate.
"Coffee before morning training isn't optional, you simply won't survive without it."
One of Michelle's favorite swimming memories dates back to when she was around 10 years old and competing at only her second gala in Port Elizabeth. In what can only be described as a bold pre-race nutrition strategy, she secretly helped herself to a Bar One chocolate from her mother's bag before her event.
"I lined up for my race with half a Bar One still in my cheek," she recalls. "I climbed onto the blocks, swam a personal best in the 50m freestyle, and carried on eating it afterwards. My poor mom was also my coach!"
While swimming has always been a major part of Michelle's life, many swimmers may be surprised to learn that she also represented South Africa in hockey. As a goalkeeper, she progressed from SA Under-16 level right through to the SA Women's setup, remaining involved until 2014. She continued playing club and provincial hockey before eventually taking on a new challenge, Ironman.
As a coach, Michelle describes herself as fun, different, and occasionally strict when needed. She believes that getting to know each swimmer as an individual is one of the most important aspects of coaching.
"The more I know about my swimmers, the more I can help them. Whether it's school, hockey, rugby, netball or swimming, asking the right questions shows them that you care and that they're seen as people, not just athletes."
Working primarily with swimmers at an age where many begin choosing between swimming and other sports, Michelle understands the challenge of keeping the sport enjoyable while still developing technique and fitness.
"We focus a lot on stroke correction and getting the fundamentals right, but we also need to make sure swimming remains fun."
One lesson she hopes every swimmer takes with them is surprisingly simple:
"Just show up."
According to Michelle, half the battle is often simply getting to training.
"There are days when school is tough, other sports are demanding, and motivation is low. But once you're there and surrounded by your friends, things always seem better. You'll remember how you felt afterwards far more than how you felt before."
Her personal coaching motto sums up her philosophy perfectly:
"Dedication takes over when motivation fails."
She believes the best swimmers are not necessarily the most talented, but those who keep going even on difficult days.
"It's about giving 100% of whatever you have available that day. Even if you only have 5% to give, give 100% of that 5%."
And finally, for those who think they know Coach Michelle well, here's a fun fact that might surprise you: she can do the splits.
"I haven't tested it recently since my back operation," she says with a grin, "but yes, I could do the splits!"
With her unique sporting background, endless energy, sense of humor, and genuine passion for helping young athletes grow, it's easy to see why Coach Michelle has become such a valued member of the PEA Swimming Club family.
Nelson Mandela Bay Aquatics
Swimming South Africa
