More than two hundred swimmers and volunteers braved the morning cold and 14 – 16 degree canal water at Battery Park on Saturday April 6 to take part in the fifth Waterfront Canal Challenge.
The challenge, organised by the Waterfront Rotary Club, is the Africa’s only timed urban canal swim. The event is made up of a one mile (1600m) and a half-mile (800m) open water swimming session starting at Battery Park, following a circular route past the One & Only Hotel and finishing back at Battery Park.
All the funds raised at the event support the Waterfront Rotary Club projects, including the Christine Revell Children’s Home in Athlone and the Salesian Institute Learn to Live School of Skills in Green Point, among others.
Many school pupils participated too, and a floating schools trophy was also introduced this year. Anieka Louw from Durbanville Hoërskool, won the first floating trophy.
Tohira Roodt, the finanial administrator and assistant general manager at Christine Revell Home in Athlone, a safe care facility for abandoned and abused children, said the home was grateful for the support received from the rotary.
“We are an NPO, and while we do receive funding from the department of social development, it only covers about 60 percent of our funding, so we try to do things to raise funds to keep our home up and running.”
She said some of the fund-raising initiatives include the sale of Christmas puddings, and events such as an annual bazaar and snack dance, among others.
“We are so appreciative of the rotary and our trustees who serve on the board. Without them, we wouldn’t be where we are.“
She said the funds raised are mainly used operational costs, such as medical needs and food and nappies.
Another beneficiary, Tony Austen, the principal of the Salesian Institute’s Learn to Live School of Skills, which focuses on the development of youth at risk to help them get employment, said the rotary adopted the school a few years ago as one of their legacy projects.
“In partnership with the rotary, we got our smart computer centre running, we do personal development programmes with the young people, they are invited to leadership camps and we just started a peace-building club, to name a few projects.”
He said he was very impressed to see the people turn up despite harsh weather conditions.
The Waterfront Canal Challenge brand ambassador and Michelle Weber who recently broke the South African ladies’ record for swimming across the English Channel, said it was “incredible” that people came out despite the wind and cold weather predicted for this weekend “but everyone is trained and ready and if you love this type of thing, you just show up”.
She said apart from the community projects supported by the event, it also brings communities together.
Spiro Mitchell the race director, said: “I was blown away with the enthusiasm and excitement that the competitors and spectators showed on Saturday at this unique open water timed swim event. Along with all the stakeholders I am confident that we can grow this event into a very special occasion for the city.”
The next Waterfront Canal Challenge will be held on April 5, 2025. Regular updates and news can be found on the Canal Swim Challenge Facebook and Instagram page.
If you would like be a sponsor, contact Mr Mitchell at 083 411 0840.
The results and times of Saturday’s races can be viewed at www.bigbayevents.co.za
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