Athletes make a splash for environment at World Oceans Day Swim
The funds raised by the event will exclusively be used for education programmes and projects run by Breathe, a conservation non-profit organisation.
PERFECT conditions greeted swimmers at the recent Ardagh Glass Packaging World Oceans Day Swim as Damian Angel and Tatum Botha emerged as champions.
Organiser of the event, Durban North resident Sarah Ferguson, said that on the surface, the swim was simply a long-distance ocean swim starting and finishing at the Durban Beach Club.
However, according to Ferguson, the purpose of the fundraising event was far more significant than simply an opportunity for sportsmen and women to enjoy their sport.
Also read: Conservationist urges Durbanites to make a splash for World Oceans Day Swim
The funds raised by the event will exclusively be used for education programmes and projects run by Breathe, a conservation non-profit organisation registered by Ferguson, primarily to educate people about oceans and plastic pollution.
“It was amazing out there today. I was super comfortable. I just enjoyed it and it was great to be out there. I had a good pace and felt strong and could have carried on, so it was good. But this is about way more than just racing. It is about getting people to fall in love with the ocean again and appreciate it more, and also to protect it.
“We have been hit hard recently with the e-coli levels, Covid, riots, chemical spills and pollution, and so it is beautiful to have a really awesome day to swim in clean water, which is really what this event is all about, and we want to keep it that way. We are really grateful to Ardagh Glass Packaging and the other sponsors who have been instrumental in making this happen,” Ferguson said.
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