Athlete pensioner doesn’t let age slow him down

AT 73, the Bluff’s Adrian Schoeman is showing no signs of slowing down, with 46 competitions under his belt so far in 2014, winning his 10th victor ludorum for KZN swimming and placing 11th in international skydiving competition, Leapfest.

Leapfest is an annual international static line parachute competition that attracted about 400 competitors to Rhode Island in America this year. Teams of five (four jumpers and one alternate) jump from a CH-47 Chinook helicopter at about 457 metres in the air and steer their parachutes to land on, or as close as possible to a mark on the ground.

The ex-military colonel and eldest competitor placed 11th overall in the 4 August competition. “It was really exciting, but nerve-wracking because I haven’t jumped for about 12 years. I was part of the force for 40 years and spent many hours jumping out of aircraft, so thankfully, it all came back to me and everything went well,” said Schoeman.

The retired Bluffite spends much of his time competing in swimming and cycling competitions and has won five first place and six second place titles in KZN swimming competitions and three first place KZN titles for cycling this year. He was also awarded his 10th victor ludorum for swimming in the KZN masters category. During the SA cycling champs he fell and cracked a rib, but still managed to claim third place.

“I enjoy these competitions, its gives me a sense of achievement.” And with nearly 500 medals to his name, Schoeman certainly has achieved a tremendous amount.