Surf lifesaver wins nine gold medals
The tour was an unforgettable experience for Tyne van Achterbergh.
Scottburgh Surf Lifesaving Club member Tyne van Achterbergh recently returned from the USA where he represented the South African youth team at the International Surf Rescue Challenge.
Tyne returned with nine gold medals, one medal was for winning the Ocean Person of the Day Award on day two of the competition. Three golds were achieved in the surf swims, two golds in the tube rescues, and three golds with his team mates in the mixed surf swim.
“It was an amazing tour and an experience that I will never forget,” he said.
Tyne had to compete against fellow South Africans, participants from the United States and Japan.
“I was fortunate to have had an amazing team to compete alongside me. I think my best achievements have to be the first place in the Iron Man and in winning all three of the surf swim events,” he added.
Tyne was also delighted that the South African team won the contest and commends his competitors for putting up a tough fight.
The dedicated youngster did swim training in a pool every day at 05:00 throughout winter, and spent many hours on his knee-board and surf-ski on the Mahlongwa River and in the surf at his home beach.
“My next challenge is 25 Piers, which will be hosted in Durban, and I have started training for this exhausting event,” he said.
“After that, all my attention will be on the SA Surf Lifesaving Champs, which take place towards the end of March. My long-term goal is to win a world title in Australia next year.”
Tyne still has three years to compete as a junior before he enters the open category of surf lifesaving.
He thanks Scottburgh Surf Lifesaving Club and the local community for the endless support and making this international tour possible, and to all those who assisted with funding and training.
“I knew that everyone in Scottburgh was rooting for me and that gave me an edge in the tough races.”
“A special thanks to my mother Natalie and father Mark, without them I would never have been able to achieve what I did on the tour.”
Gordon Gardner, chairman of SSLC, said that he has no doubts that Tyne will will achieve his goals and hopefully also become a champion in the senior ranks of surf lifesaving in future years.
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