Fortitude in the face of tragedy... Kayla heads to Italy for sporting challenge
Three months ago, a 16-year-old Somerset West boy’s life came to a sudden and tragic end in a car accident after a school outing, and now Daniel’s beloved sister, Kayla Jordaan, is honouring his memory in a triathlon in Italy...
Last week I headed over to the sun-splashed garden at Annie’s Flowers, at 55 Dummer Road in Somerset West, to meet the lovely and enthusiastic Annie – grandmother to Kayla and Daniel, who shared about the family’s grief at this unimaginable loss, but also the fortitude and determination that has blossomed, so to speak, regarding Kayla’s embracing of national and international competing (she and her brother used to train and exercise together).
Annie, who has tasked herself with raising funds towards the R60 000 needed for this trip to Italy, not only does flower arrangements and exquisite posies of all sizes, but also makes quilts of all shapes and sizes, and is available to help people with their gardening – and has been living here for 40 years, rooted in her love of plants and all things floral.
It was also an opportunity to chat to Kayla, who is turning 19 soon, and is currently studying a three-year Sports Science degree at Stellenbosch University, having gone to Parel Vallei High School.
“I was always into sports, and did cross-country, and while at De Hoop Primary School, played hockey and netball. Last year I started cycling (mountain biking), and gym and weight training, which I love,” said Kayla.
She explained the difference between Sprint Triathlon (750m swim, 20km cycling, 5km run) versus Standard Triathlon (1.2km swim, 30km cycle, 10 run), and the Half Iron Man (1.9km swim, 90km cycle, 21.1km run), and participates in all of them.
Last week she was racing in Port Elizabeth, and when I asked whether they use swimming pools, told me they swim in the ocean no matter what the conditions, as there is support with rubber ducks for backup.
“In preparation for the Half-Iron Man, I did a few races... three triathlons, of which the second one was Xterra, and a week afterwards, I got email saying I’d been chosen to go to Italy.
“At first I thought it was a spam email, and sent it to my dad Gabri (who often races with Kayla), and he said it was real!”
They take the top five boys and top five girls for Youth World Cup in Italy. The event takes place on Sunday September 29, in the remote town of Molveno, which involves taking a plane, train, tram and bus to get there.
Dad Gabri is going along for support (and helps her with training), and this may well be just the first of more international competitions, says Kayla.
“I’m planning to do the Croatia Epic, similar to our Cape Epic... there you stay on boats, cycle on one island, then go to the next island on a boat, and race there,” she says.
Her dad has been a keen mountain biker for the past 30 years, and did the Swiss Epic last year – and he tirelessly supports Kayla as she pursues each of these major sporting challenges.
Gran Annie adds: “Kayla inspires me, and puts her energies into action! It gets you out of the tragedy, moves you up and lifts you forward. The famiy camped together over Easter; we could all cry together, live together, and feel joy together.”
The day Kayla had decided to do the Ironman, was when her brother died in the car accident, and she will honour him with this event.
Annie’s Flowers is located at 55 Dummer Road, Somerset West, or call her at 063 068 6199. Pop in!