uMhlanga Rocks lifesavers shine in Egypt

THE South African lifesaving team put in some phenomenal performances at this year’s Lifesaving Africa Championships held in Alexandra, Egypt.

The team, who were crowned the winners of the championships, finished with a combined total of 500 points, ahead of hosts Egypt, who finished second on 468 points.

Two lifesavers from the Umhlanga Rocks Surf Lifesaving Club (Rox) also contributed to the Protea team’s championship win.

Nicolette Challenor and Tatum Botha recently spoke to Northglen News about their respective performances that saw them win eight medals between them. For Tatum, the experience at the African Championships was one to remember.

“For me it was one of the most memorable tours to date. The weather wasn’t very favourable with it being so cold and windy but we had to grit our teeth and perform to the best of our abilities. My team was amazing and it was an awesome way to get to know more people and compete with the best in Africa. I won three gold medals and two silver medals at the champs, with my surf swim gold being the most memorable race. Getting five medals was more than I could have hoped for. I was super happy and proud of myself and my fellow teammates for their amazing results,” she said.

Botha competed in five events in Egypt in what was her first senior call-up. She was full of praise for her fellow teammates.

“Honestly, Team South Africa made the country proud. To be a part of such an amazing team is an honour and a privilege. Everyone’s performances on the two days we competed were truly inspiring and definitely something that the team as a whole should be proud of,” Botha said.

Fellow Rox member Nicollette, echoed her Protea teammate’s sentiments.

“I was incredibly proud of Team SA and so happy to be a part of the team and of the performances by everyone. We all did our best and to leave with the overall win was so special. I am so grateful for the opportunity I got to represent South Africa. I would say it has given me more drive to work harder to improve and do the absolute best that I can. It made me see how far I have come in my lifesaving journey since I started when I was 11. I am so excited to push myself and to race hard to achieve my goals at SA champs,” she said.

She added that both her mom, Jenna and father, Brett had also represented South Africa in lifesaving.

“Both my mom and dad grew up doing lifesaving. They actually went to world champs in 1998 in the same team which is when they met, my mom was 16 at the time. That is why lifesaving holds a very special place in our home,” she said.

The SA team was also under the careful eye of another Rox member, Mike Rodda, who was the national team manager.

“I was extremely proud of the team for the way they stood up to the challenge from both Egypt and Morocco (who finished third). They fielded senior teams with experienced athletes, including an Olympic swimmer and runner. In the South African team, only four athletes had pervasive international experience. It was very special to see members of Rox perform on the international stage and do so well in their events. It was also special seeing Team SA perform so exceptionally,” he said.

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