Intrepid swimmers braved the Indian Ocean on the weekend, competing for the Oceans 8 Charity Swim title while raising almost R900 000 to support local charities. The Oceans 8 Charity Swim, which took place on 16 and 17 June at Durban Undersea Club, welcomed swimmers aged from 11 to 76 years for South Africa’s first warm-water ocean swim for charity.

“I’d like to extend congratulations to all our competitors who swam so well, and for raising such an incredible amount for our deserving local charities,” said Oceans 8 Charity Swim event spokesperson, Hilary Bruss. “What a privilege to enjoy our beautiful beach and ocean for such amazing causes. Together we raised R889,612.25 for charity which just shows that together everyone really does achieve so much more!”

The Oceans 8 Charity Swim, which included a 1 Mile and 8 Mile event, saw Matt Pelser winning all but one event in the 8 mile, with Shane Van de Linde and Jarrod Thorpe fighting it out for 2nd and 3rd position throughout the two days. In the ladies’ category, Robyn Bees won the majority of the events with overall positions changing with every event.

Oceans 8 Charity Swim was started by five NPOs; Duzi Umngeni Conservation Trust (DUCT), the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), Project Rhino, Singakwenza, and WILDTRUST to provide a reliable flow of funding to 14 deserving non-profit organisations in and around KwaZulu-Natal.

The top fundraisers for the charities were:

• Singakwenza Early Education - Russell Munroe (R102 610)
• WILDTRUST – Leigh de Necker (R20 078.55)
• NSRI - Steve Evans (R17 045.92)
• Project Rhino - Justin Lockhart (R14 920.45)
• DUCT - Bianca Kritzinger (R8 000.19)
• 1 Mile charities - Jayde Rocher (R3 500)

All funds generated through the 8 Mile swim will support the work of the five main charities, while funds generated by the 1 Mile swim will assist these 9 invitational charities:

1. Adopt-a-River (www.adoptariversa.org)
2. Caversham Education Institute (www.cavershaminstitute.co.za)
3. CROW - The Centre for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (www.crowkzn.co.za)
4. Game Rangers’ Association of Africa (www.gameranger.org)
5. International Sailors’ Society of Southern Africa (www.saiss.co.za)
6. Kerr House (www.kerrhouse.co.za)
7. Liberty NPO (www.libertynpo.co.za)
8. One Planet S.A. (www.oneplanet.org.za)
9. Wildlife ACT (www.wildlifeact.com)

Event organisers thanked main sponsors Discovery, Mr Price Sport and Pick ‘n Pay. Thanks are also extended to SAPPI, ShipTech, Adviceworx, GFP Financial Planning, Aheers Multisave, Overstone Cottages, Afcon Industrial Equipment, Electrical Projects, and LED Urban for making the event possible.

To find out more, visit @oceans8_charityswim on Instagram and oceans8swim on Facebook, or visit www.oceans8swim.co.za.