Last chance to enter 6km ocean challenge

THE third annual Four Elements Ocean Challenge is set to take place on Saturday, 11 June on Durban Beachfront in an effort to create awareness about the plight of the oceans through an intense six-kilometre swim.

The swim has gained huge momentum since it began in 2014 with 16 participants.

To date, 90 swimmers have applied to participate in this unique environmental event – more than five of whom have competed since the first event – with space for another 60 participants still available.

The 2014 champion and previous SA swimming and surf lifesaving captain, Julian Taylor, as well as South African lifesaver and the Ocean Challenge 2015 third-placed swimmer, Sanele Nxumalo, are both returning this year, competing for the top place title. Joining them will be a number of top contenders including Sarah Ferguson, South African backstroke swimmer; Helen Lucre, multiple winner of the Comrades Marathon; John McCarthy, founder of the Bomb Surf and Ocean Child; Heather Campbell, World Master’s swimming champion; former South African champion surf swimmer, Dylan Botha, and his son, Connor, the current South African nipper lifesaving victor ludorum.

Established four years ago by Durban’s Olivia Taylor when she was just 14-years-old, Four Elements Conservation NPC is an internationally-recognised organisation which aims to preserve the natural environment. The ocean challenge, which is one of the projects that falls under this banner, also serves to raise funds and awareness about the Four Elements environmental scholarship whereby eight environmentally-minded youth are selected for an enlightening camp held at the beginning of the year.

“The first camp, which was held over four days at Bayete Zulu and Sodwana Bay in northern KwaZulu-Natal this year, was hugely successful,” said Taylor. “During the camp, the participants were taught how to convert their passion for conservation into real change by developing skills in marketing, fundraising and social media management.”

Taylor said one of the participants had already put what he learnt into practise with an awareness hike through the Berg, raising funds for the protection of rhinos.

Commenting on this year’s ocean challenge, Taylor said: “The ocean really is the life blood of our planet yet there is not enough awareness about what is actually taking place under the waves. We are seeing the effects of years of pollution through the decimation of marine life, and now is the only time we have to make a difference.”

Entrance for the ocean challenge is a minimum required donation of R350, all of which will go towards funding this informative camp for the youngsters, converting them into capable social entrepreneurs. Applications for the camp are still to be finalised, but will be open to the public at the end of July.

For those wishing to support the challenge but who would prefer to remain land-based, there will be an informal walk taking place alongside the swim.

The swim will start at 7am at Laguna Beach, Durban and extend six kilometres to the harbour wall. A prize-giving ceremony will be held after the event at Durban Surf Lifesaving Club where winners in the under 30, 30 to 50 years and over 50 categories will receive prizes for their dedicated effort.

Anyone who enters before Thursday, 26 May, will receive a cap and a T-shirt but T shirts will not be given to entrants who sign up after 26 May. Online entries can be found at www.fourelementsconservation.org.