DESPITE the cold front that hit KZN at the weekend, a record 143 swimmers braved the Indian Ocean on 13 May to compete in the fourth annual Four Elements Ocean Challenge.
Julian Taylor took the top spot in the open category for an impressive third year, while Sanele Nxumalo clinched the second spot again this year. Nxumalo did, however, take first place in the newly-introduced lifeguard category. Sasha-Lee Nordengen-Corris, the 2015 open category winner, international open water swimmer and South African lifesaver, placed third overall and first in the women’s division.
Julian, who is also a former national surf-lifesaving captain, said this was one of the most challenging open water swims on the calendar in South Africa.
“Extremely powerful southerly winds whipped up the ocean, forcing a course change and giving the organisers a bit of a nightmare,” he said. “The changed route was tough going and against the current, so kudos to all competitors who finished the race. It was a monumental effort by everyone.”
Nxumalo, who is three-time Lifeguard Endurance Champion, winner of the 2016 Miway Surf Swim competition, a Lifesaving Ironman and a silver medalist in the Stillwater Nationals, was thrilled to have made a top three spot. “All I can say is that the swim was a lot faster than anticipated, but I’m happy with how I swam and how my fellow Durban Lifeguard team members did as well,” he said.
CEO of Four Elements, Olivia Taylor, said, “We’re quite accustomed to poor conditions for the challenge but this year was particularly tough because of the rain. Swimmers said the race felt a lot longer than 4.5km because of the strong current but most finished.”
The group set off from uShaka beach in the early morning, accompanied by a pod of dolphins. The course was changed from a finish at the Country Club Beach to a loop out to Dairy Beach and back to uShaka Beach. Two competitors were pulled out the water early on due to cramps and hypothermia. Another swimmer was treated for hypothermia at the finish line but all three made a quick recovery.
The Four Elements Ocean Challenge is the only ocean swim of its kind on the KZN coastline, held annually in support of World Oceans Day on 8 June, a day dedicated to raising awareness and funds for ocean conservation. This year money raised from entry fees to the Four Elements Ocean Challenge will go towards the launch of an online education programme focusing on environmental entrepreneurship for youth.
