Rox masters shine at national lifesaving champs
The Rox masters team won 58 medals, 31 gold, 14 silver and 13 bronze at the beach events at the champs.
THE uMhlanga Rocks Surf Lifesaving Club (Rox) masters team showed their incredible skills, both in the pool and beach events, at this year’s DHL Lifesaving South African Championships held at Kings Beach in Gqeberha.
In the masters competition in the pool, the masters team broke five national records.
Incredibly in the beach events, the Rox masters team won 58 medals, 31 gold, 14 silver and 13 bronze.
A large field of masters athletes from lifesaving clubs around the country competed across a range of events including beach sprints, flags, surf swims, board races, and ski races in the beach events.
Nic Horn, vice-chairman of the club, was full of praise for the team.
“We were unbelievably proud of the team’s efforts. Prior to the nationals the masters team also showed their mettle at the provincial champs. Overall I think the team had a great SA champs, especially as we went there with fewer numbers than some of the other clubs. We also finished third in the final pool events and third overall in the country which was phenomenal.
“In the pool events, of the 34 records broken at the champs, we broke five records. Tanya Livingstone smashed one of the records, as did Derek Morris. We also broke two records in the relay events in the pool. The biggest one being the 4x50m lifesaver relay of the team consisting of Mthembeni Johnson (MJ) Mkhize, Bruce and Gareth Dragt and Sean Dunbar. Byron Smith and I also broke the national record for the line throw event in our category,” he said.
Meanwhile, Craig van Rooyen, director of sport for Lifesaving South Africa, gave a shout-out to the spectators who attended the champs.
“The calibre of competition was outstanding, matched by enthusiastic crowds of families, supporters, and friends who lined the beach to cheer on the action. This was a celebration of our masters community at its very best. The spectacular Port Elizabeth conditions, the strong number of entries, and the amazing family support on the beach made it a day to remember.”
Final standings
1st: Fish Hoek Lifesaving Club
2nd: Summerstrand Lifesaving Club
3rd: uMhlanga Rocks Surf Lifesaving Club (Rox)
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