Chanelle Van Wyk
Chanelle Van Wyk is Head Coach at Cybersmart Aquatics and a two-time Team SA Olympic coach, representing South Africa at Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024. Her coaching combines technical precision, athlete ownership and a deep commitment to developing confident, resilient swimmers at every stage of the pathway.
Chanelle Van Wyk is Head Coach and a two-time Team SA Olympic coach, developing swimmers from Learn-to-Swim foundations to international competition.
Across more than a decade of coaching, Chanelle has worked across the complete swimming pathway—from foundational Learn-to-Swim and stroke development to national and international performance.
Her coaching is built on three principles: technical precision, athlete ownership and consistent standards. Swimmers learn not only what to do, but why it matters—making progress understood, repeatable and sustainable.
Precision in every detail. Purpose in every session.
Chanelle has a sharp technical eye and a clear, athlete-centred approach. She creates an environment in which swimmers are challenged to take responsibility for their training, communicate openly and develop the habits required for long-term success.
Under her guidance, athletes have progressed to national titles, record-setting performances and international representation. Her work remains focused on sustainable development: strong foundations first, followed by the carefully planned progression needed to perform under pressure.
A coach who understands both sides of the lane
Before becoming a coach, Chanelle competed internationally as a backstroke specialist. Her 2009 South African short-course 50m backstroke record stood for 16 years.
That first-hand understanding of preparation, pressure, recovery and race-day execution continues to shape her coaching today.
International leadership and Team South Africa appointments
Chanelle’s national-team career spans successive Olympic cycles and some of the most important events in international swimming:
Olympic Games — Tokyo 2020: Team SA swimming coach
World Aquatics Championships — Fukuoka 2023: RSA National Team coach
Olympic Games — Paris 2024: Team SA swimming coach
World Aquatics Championships — Singapore 2025: Team Manager and Coach for Swimming South Africa
Commonwealth Games — Glasgow 2026: Team SA Swimming Manager
Her wider international experience includes serving as RSA Head Coach at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games, together with appointments at the World Junior Championships, CANA Senior African Championships and FISU World University Games.
Developing the whole athlete
Chanelle’s work extends beyond stroke mechanics and race pace. Her background in yoga and movement informs the integration of mobility, breathwork, body awareness and recovery within the high-performance environment.
The goal is not only faster swimming, but the development of more durable, self-aware and resilient athletes—young people equipped to handle responsibility, pressure and the demands of sustained performance.
Chanelle also mentors developing coaches and contributes to workshops and continuing professional development, helping strengthen coaching standards throughout the swimming pathway.
Qualifications and coaching expertise
American Swimming Coaches Association, Levels 1–5
Swimming South Africa, Learn-to-Swim through Level 3
300-hour Yoga Teacher Training — Sculpt
200-hour Yoga Teacher Training — Vinyasa, Hatha and Yin
CPR, AED, First Aid and Child Protection
High-performance athlete development, technical refinement and race preparation
Professional affiliations
Swimming South Africa
American Swimming Coaches Association
World Swimming Coaches Association
Yoga Alliance International
Find the right starting point
Not sure which programme or squad is right for you or your swimmer? Book a free 15-minute assessment at our Milnerton pool and let our coaching team recommend the best next step.