Swimmers rise against the tide

Varish and Sharur Ramautar have made their swimming accolades a brother double act.

Both young men capped their stellar 2013 with medals at the Short Course Championships in Vryheid this month.

Instead of simply boasting their achievements, however, their proud father, Raj said he hopes the success of his sons will help children realise there is nothing impossible in life.

“We have top coaches in Newcastle and I hope others take advantage.”

Sharur is a certified lifesaver at the Junior second level, and earned a gold (50 metre butterfly) and two bronzes (50m breaststroke and relay) at the SALGA games in Ladysmith last year.

At the Short Course champs, he earned two silvers in 100m breaststroke and 100m butterfly.

Varish has achieved KwaZulu-Natal colours in lifesaving for the past half-dozen years, attended the Level Two championships four years consecutively and achieved honours for this.

He also boasts a formal Lifeguard Award certificate.

At the Short Course Championships, Varish formed part of the relay team who earned gold and broke the record, and earned three additional medals.

“He earned a silver in the medley relay, and bronzes in 100m butterfly and 50m butterfly.”

Mr Ramautar said much had gone into his sons’ training, including training five times a week of one-and-a-half hours in the mornings and two hours each afternoon, and regular strength and endurance exercises at the gym.

“There is no room for an idle mind,” he added knowingly.

Both Sharur and Varish have lent plenty of knowledge and experience from their father, a man with 40 years’ experience in swimming, competition and lifesaving on Durban’s beaches.

Mr Ramautar also served as the three-time chairman of the Swimming and Lifesaving Club.

“We are trying to get more youth involved; swimming is a life skill and can save a person’s life.”

Varish and Sharur said dedication was the key to their success, mentioning they were glad to have put in the effort.

“Thank you to our coach, Tharina Peters, parents, family and friends, in a nutshell, for their support.”

Varish will next compete in the NKZN Long Course champs in December, while Sharur is in action next month at the SALGA games in Kokstad.