Shakaskraal diver takes ‘wreck-reational’ diving to a new level
Monica Govender was one of eight divers who recently tackled a wreck challenge, exploring six shipwrecks that line the bottom of the Indian Ocean.
Diving into the deep blue may be daunting for some, but for Shakaskraal resident Monica Govender, it is the opportunity to escape into a different world and conquer her fears.
The experienced ocean-lover was one of eight divers who recently tackled the seemingly impossible task of venturing out to six of the many local shipwrecks that line the bottom of the Indian Ocean, in just one day.
The memorable expedition comes only three years after Govender first conquered her fear of the water. Since then she has logged more than 200 dives around the world.
“I started scuba diving at age 39. At that point, I did not know how to swim and I was terrified of the water.”
Last year she began training as a technical diver.
“Diving has liberated me and given me the self-confidence to face life.”
Govender, who is a financial planner by profession, said the experience, known as a wreck challenge, was something quite spectacular which both her and her team from Umhlanga Scuba will never forget.
“We planned to dive five wrecks in one day but we were able to push it to six,” said Govender, who is also a qualified category C skipper.
“Five of the six wrecks were deep dives at an average of 28m deep.
“We started our first launch at 6am and beached after our last dive at 6pm.”
The team, which consisted of Freek Prinsloo, Jason David Reddy, Sarah Keyser, Tracey Lee Featherstone, Tim Boettiger, Bryan Sclanders, Skhumbuzo Novuka, Vinayak Maharaj and Govender, visited shipwrecks all along the coast, from Umhlanga to the Bluff.
Wreck one was Coopers Wreck, then an unnamed wreck, on to Hawthorn, The Fontao, T-Barge and last but not least The Odd.
“This is a phenomenal achievement and I would like to encourage people to venture out of their daily routines to explore the amazing undersea world.”
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