Cape Town – Two local high school pupils and lifeguards will undertake a Robben Island swim to raise money in order to cover the financial losses felt by their fellow lifeguards during the pandemic. The impact of the pandemic cost them the opportunity to participate in the upcoming South African Lifesaving Championships.
The funds raised will enable the Clifton Surf Lifesaving Club (CSLC) bursary fund to help and support individuals participating in the contest for Stillwater pool events at Newton Park Pool and for Surf events at Kings Beach, Gqeberha from October 2 to 9 this year.
Pupils Zack Waters,15 ,and Savannah Voigt, 16, are training around the clock in preparation for the swim, set to take place next weekend.
The two plan to cover distance of approximately 7.5km, and currents, tides, ambient, and water temperatures will all be in play on the actual swim day.
Waters, a grade 10 pupil at Rondebosch Boys High School said with the impact of the pandemic, many lifeguards lost their jobs and could not afford to go to the championships.
’’There aren’t many competitions for lifeguards in South Africa. Doing this competition is an amazing opportunity for a lifeguard to show what they are capable of and to get their name out and get potential sponsors.
“Most of the lifeguards from the club do it on a voluntary basis and have such an important role to play, like helping find missing children or assisting those who cannot swim. Lifeguards are really important on the beach.”
Waters has been volunteering for just over two years.
He will undertake the swim alongside Voigt, in Grade 11 at Herschel Girls’ High school.
Both are qualified junior lifeguards at the DHL Clifton Surf Lifesaving Club.
Donations to their campaign can be made at https://www.backabuddy.co.za/cslc-clifton-surf-lifesaving-clifton-bu
