Aaron ‘putz' his best foot forward

The Citizen

30-04-2025

WITH a motto 'I can and I will' Putz is proof that anything is possible. He recently returned from the SASA 11 Summer Games where he competed in tough conditions over four days and achieved gold medals in all his 16 individual events.
He also competed in the KZN relay events where he motivated and encouraged his team, displaying outstanding leadership and sportsmanship as team KZN excelled.
The 28-year-old has had another exceptional year of success as he was nominated as a finalist in the KZN Sportsman of the The Year 2025.
Also read: Swimmer breaks 10 long-standing school records
He was the gold medalist in his category in the Midmar Mile 2025. He also earn his spot by qualifying in both the 3km and 5km SA Open Water Championships held recently in Jeffreys Bay where he won gold.
Putz warmly welcomed the Highway Mail to his home in Kloof and said with a big smile, 'You must come and see my medals in my bedroom.'
While that was an amazing number of trophies and medals in the champion's room, he beamed with pride,
'These are not even half of them.'
Putz's face lights up when speaking about his swimming journey.
'I enjoy swimming and love being in the water. I am able to swim all the strokes but now I am enjoying open water.'
Thriving against all odds
His mother Debbie Putz said as a young boy Aaron faced huge challenges, having suffered chronic ear conditions which went into full blown mastoid disease five years later.
'He has had 12 ear surgeries – a lot of his early years were visiting doctors, specialists, hospitals, therapy and with the late diagnosis at six years old of autism the road was long and hard for him.
At 13 years old, his mother said the autistic school unit had very little more to offer and as his parents, they felt lost and started to look for a bigger and more positive road for him.
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'His younger sister, a good swimmer, swam with Nic Gray at the Kloof Swimming Club. We approached him and asked if he would teach Aaron to swim and he agreed. He showed him impeccable leadership, patience, kindness, and after a year under his coaching and squad Aaron began to excel and develop a passion for the water, swimming his first gala and winning a bronze medal.'
Putz's first opportunity to swim overseas came when he was 16, competing in New Caledonia. He earned an international silver, plus relay medals in a competition and from there the swimming bug bit big time.
He has represented SA internationally in New Caledonia, South America, Madeira, Glasgow in Scotland and Mexico.
Putz has twice won the KZN Sportsman of the Year award.
His mother said swimming for Aaron has given him the ability to be part of something like a club and he has built friendships.
'It has taught him to win and to lose, that hard work does pay, in life there are no shortcuts, work ethic, and time management.
'Swimming has been a blessing in his life. We have pulled together hard as a family, did a lot of praying, and through all the early days of heartache, worry and desperation we made it as a family.'
Positive support structure
'As his parents and family, we are incredibly proud of his discipline, commitment, drive. He works hard towards his sport and business; his humbleness and loving nature to humans and animals is a very special quality,' said the proud mother.
Debbie advised parents with newly diagnosed children to try to accept and work with the medical teams around them, as early intervention is key!
'Parents should develop the strengths which these children have, work hard on the weaknesses.'
She mentioned that family support is crucial.
'Build your children's confidence, love your children, laugh a lot, it gets better in time,' advised Debbie.
Behind Putz is an incredible and supportive team. He is a member of the Westville Swimming Club and is coached by head coach Petro Nortje. He also trains at the Prime Human Performance Institute under coach Cam Daly.
Putz smiles when he speaks about his coaches and he attributes his success to them.
'I am very grateful to them. I want to thank both of them. Petro came at a time when I wanted to quit swimming, she made me love it again.'
Nortje said Putz is the kind of swimmer every coach hopes for.
'He is dedicated, humble, and relentlessly driven. His attitude sets the standard, and his results speak for themselves.'
Putz is sponsored by the KZN Department of Sport and Recreation and Mr Price Sport.
In addition, he runs a small, highly successful jumping castle business, and is passionate about all sport.
He recently took up biathlon and he is also excelling in it.
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