Go the extra mile for the NSRI

The Oceans 8 Charity Swim will see swimmers taking to the water in KwaZulu-Natal in aid of their favourite non-profit organisation.

It’s the first warm water open water challenge of its kind to be held in South Africa, and the only swimming event to be run entirely for charity. The eight-mile swim will be held at the Point Water Sports Club (PWSC) in Durban.

“Only 150 entrants will be allowed for the eight-mile swim, so each charity gets a maximum of 30 swimmers. If more people want to swim for a particular charity they get a second choice of who they want to support,” says NSRI Public Relations & Guest Speaker Helen Wienand.

Oceans 8 is the brainchild of 5 non-profit organisations, namely the NSRI, Wild Trust, Singakwenzi Early Childhood Education, Duzi-Umnengni Conservation Trust and Project Rhino. In order to take part, entrants will have to pay a R1 000 entrance fee as well as raise R5 000 for their charity of choice. All swimmers must have completed at least one official sea swim prior to the event.

“The swimmers will swim one mile, then will go back to the beach and rest, then swim another mile. So they will do the route 8 times,” Helen explains. “Each of the one-mile events will have 50 additional slots for those wanting to swim a single mile for charity. Their entry fee is R150 and they will raise R850.”

The money collected through the one-mile swims will be split equally between 10 invitational charities that the NSRI and the four other main charities have selected. The NSRI chose the International Sailors’ Society of Southern Africa, an organisation focussing on the welfare of sailors, and Crow, an animal rescue organisation.

Durban is the perfect location for the event because of its milder winter conditions and warmer water. According to Helen, the actual venue and stretch of water was chosen because it is protected by the Durban Harbour and Vetch’s Pier and swimmers can enjoy the warmer waters.

“There’s also a private clubhouse that we will have access to, with full bathroom and catering facilities. In addition to this each charity will be on the beach looking after their swimmers. So we’ll make sure they are watered and fed, and will look after their belongings for them,” Helen says.

Registration will take place at Point Water Sports Club on 16 June, and the event will take place on 17 and 18 June. The 19th will be assigned as a “back-up day” in case weather conditions are not ideal for the swim on the two preceding days.

To book your spot, visit https://oceans8swim.co.za/

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