On the 15th and 16th June, the Oceans 8 Charity Swim was held at the Durban Undersea Club. The swim, South Africa’s first warm water ocean event of its kind is a fundraiser for charity that support conservation and educational development. All entrants must raise a specified amount for different charities as a prerequisite to enter the race. The events swum are 8 miles, 4 miles or 1 mile, with each entrant for each event needing to raise R6000, R4000 and R1000 respectively. These are the minimum amounts, and entrants are welcome to raise more.

Fourteen charities are supported by this swim; Duzi-Umngeni Conservation Trust (DUCT); National Sea and Rescue Institute (NSRI); Project Rhino; Singakwenza Early Childhood Development Education Centre; Adopt A River Eco Solutions; Caversham Education Institute; Centre for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW); Game Rangers Association of Africa; Sailors’ Society of Southern Africa; Kerr House; Liberty NPO; One Planet S.A.; Umduduzi Hospice Care for Children; and Wildlife ACT.

Chanelle Oosthuisen, Raymond Ndlovu and Ruby Sprout

French exchange student Clemance

Since the inaugural swim in 2023, Treverton College has been involved in this initiative, even winning the prize for the most number of school participants in 2023. This year, a total of 6 swimmers from Treverton – 4 students and 2 staff, took part in the swim. Congratulations to Ruby Sproat, who swam 8 miles. Congratulations also to Isabella Heinecken, for swimming 4 miles, and congratulations to Any Hughes and Clémence Berthome for swimming one mile each. A Special mention goes to Clémence Berthome, who was on exchange from France, for braving the South African waters, raising funds for South African charities, and absolutely enjoying it!

Although the seas were very rough on Day 1 (but calm on Day 2), each swimmer gave of their best, and did everyone proud. Even prior to the swim, the swimmers had to endure training in the brutal winter and icy waters of Mooi River in the KZN Midlands, and they did so with such aplomb. Overall, it was a lovely, well run and well organised event, thoroughly enjoyed by all. There is already eager anticipation for the 2025 swim,  with even more swimmers, as the open water swimming code at Treverton grows and makes strides.

Ocean 8 swim

Ruby Sprout and Bella Heineken