DESPITE challenging water conditions, the third annual Four Elements Ocean Challenge was successfully completed by 91 keen swimmers who took to the choppy Indian Ocean on Saturday, 11 June for a gruelling five kilometre swim.
“It was another fantastic event, although the conditions were definitely the toughest they’ve been since the first swim in 2014. There was a strong wind creating a big swell, particularly later in the morning, and the water was cold and choppy, but we still had 95 of the 120 entrants bravely participate, with only a handful not being able to complete the race,” said Four Elements Conservation CEO, Olivia Taylor.
Taylor said the safety officers from Durban Lifesaving Club were on hand throughout the event to ensure everyone’s safety. The swimmers set off from the Harbour wall, Durban at 9am, braving the swells for 5km to Bike and Bean at the Country Club Beach. The first swimmer came in at 10.05am with the last swimmer closing the event at 11.30am.
Participants competed in three categories and spot prizes were also given out at the prize giving event held directly after the swim at Durban Surf Lifesaving Club.
Winners in the Open category were 2014 champion and previous SA swimming and surf lifesaving captain, Julian Taylor, in men’s and Zoe Frank (14 years old) in women’s, each receiving R3 000 cash prize. Second place went to Nicholas Forsyth and Sasha-Lee Corris Nordengen with R2 000 cash prize and third to Sanele Nxumalo – a South African lifesaver and last year’s third-placed swimmer – and Lauren Bezuidenhout with R1 000 each.
It was a good day for Nicholas Forsyth who also placed first in the 30 to 49 age category, receiving R1 000, alongside fellow winner, Barbara Bowley. Second and third place prizes were mixed hampers with Jason Cook and South African backstroke swimmer, Sarah Ferguson, in second place with Garry Truyens and Carina Hambloch in third position.
The 50 and over age category saw all top three competitors receiving hampers. Julian Taylor, once again, topped the rankings with World Master’s swimming champion, Heather Campbell, coming in for top female position. Michiel Kemper and Linda Ness placed second while Mark Taylor and Janine Serrurier came in third.
This year’s swim challenge raised R50 000 for the second annual, four-day camp. Set in a nature reserve, the scholarship recipients are taught to develop their passion for conservation into tangible results by receiving clear instruction in marketing, fundraising and social media management skills. Each participant is given the tools to get started on their own conservation initiatives once the camp is completed, with ongoing support provided by Four Elements.
“Entries for the camp will open on 21 June and I’m really looking forward to another worthwhile interaction where young South Africans are given the guidance to truly unlock their potential and make an impact on the environment around them,” said Taylor.
Online entries can be found at www.fourelementsconservation.org.
