The Marine Mongrels are set to embark on an exciting journey to Australia, representing South Africa in the World Lifesaving Championships. This incredible team, hailing from the esteemed Marine Lifesaving Club in Durban, is led by the world-class sweep Gary Brummer. They have trained tirelessly, demonstrating unparalleled dedication and spirit, and now, with Jenn Seady’s passionate support, they hope to rally the nation behind them.
A Pillar of Strength and Inspiration for Surfboat Rowing in South Africa
Jenn Seady, a devoted advocate for surfboat rowing, has recently reached out to share her joy and to rally South Africa to support the Marine Mongrels. Jenn’s connection to the sport runs deep; it has been her lifeline through two bouts of cancer. Currently undergoing treatment, Jenn finds solace and inspiration in the team’s journey, receiving regular updates that lift her spirits on the darkest days.
In her heartfelt message to Good Things Guy, Jenn shares the exhilarating nature of surfboat rowing. “There’s a sport called surfboat rowing, which is part of Lifesaving. Apart from being super fit, you also have to be a little nutty to partake in this rather eventful, occasionally dangerous rowing sport. Four team members row a boat through the waves out to sea, turn around, and race back, hopefully catching waves in the process,” she explains. “The sweep steers the boat from the back, and the team sits with their backs towards the waves. Timing, skill, and a whole lot of trust in your team are required. It is the ultimate team sport where you take on the ocean and is one of the greatest tests of endurance.”
For the past four years, surfboat rowing has been Jenn’s passion and driving force. She describes how, after competing in the 2022 Lifesaving Nationals, she was diagnosed with cancer. Despite undergoing treatment, Jenn continued to row, even competing in the 2023 Nationals and securing second place with her team. Her determination and love for the sport kept her going through the toughest times.
In June 2024, Jenn’s dream comes closer to reality as the Marine Mongrels, an all-female team, prepare to compete in the World Champs of Lifesaving on the Gold Coast. This marks a historic moment for South African surfboat rowing, as it is the first time a ladies’ team will represent the country in Australia.
The Marine Mongrels’ journey has not been easy. They have faced early morning training sessions, full workdays, and numerous challenges along the way. Despite their dedication, they still need support to cover accommodation costs, nutrition, and vehicle hire. Jenn, who has been living her dream vicariously through one of the team members, shares how their updates and videos have lifted her spirits and inspired her during her treatment.
“This team needs South Africa’s support,” Jenn urges. “They exude every possible quality of great sportsmanship. Their kindness knows no bounds. Their focus, trust, love, and dedication towards their team and sport are admirable. Let’s make the Marine Mongrels great!”
Jenn’s call to action is a testament to the incredible bond within the lifesaving community. The Marine Mongrels have not only demonstrated their athletic prowess but also their compassion and sportsmanship by supporting Jenn through her journey.
To support the Marine Mongrels and help them achieve their dream, Jenn encourages everyone to contribute to their BackaBuddy crowdfunding campaign where they have already raised over R11 000 of their R300 000 goal with the help of 18 amazing donors. Your donations will ensure that this remarkable team can represent South Africa with pride on the world stage.
The last month has been a whirlwind of activity and hard training for 22-year-old sport climber, Lauren Mukheibir from Johannesburg. Returning to South Africa from Perth at the beginning of the month, Lauren made the decision to train rigorously as she prepares for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in July.
Pictured above: Lauren Mukheibir training for the Paris Olympics 2024
Lauren will compete in both the Boulder and Lead categories at the Olympics. The Lead category involves a 16-meter-high wall with a route worth 100 points, while the Boulder category includes four boulders, each worth 25 points. The combined scores from both rounds will create a score out of 200 to determine the final placement.
“I train about 20 hours a week – 10 hours of climbing and 10 hours of strength training; it’s what my body can handle. Climbing at such a high level requires so much confidence and bravery,” Lauren explains.
Lauren, who will be one of four climbers representing South Africa in Paris, started an intense lead training program upon her return home. This program is designed to build her endurance as quickly as possible in preparation for both Paris and the Innsbruck World Cup, taking place from June 26-30. “I am doing Innsbruck to help me deal with competition nerves, gain some more international experience, and put to use what I have learned over the last couple of months. As such, doing well in Innsbruck is not my priority. It will be a competition to test where I stand, mentally and physically,” she says.
Pictured above: Lauren in her element of rock climbing
After Innsbruck, Lauren plans to compete in a local competition in Cape Town, which will be an excellent practice and preparation for Paris. She will continue her training until July 23, when the team leaves for Paris.
One of the biggest challenges Lauren faces is managing expenses before heading to Paris. Despite her pride and gratitude for being selected, every training session, physio appointment, doctor’s visit, equipment replacement, and travel expense needs to be covered personally. “I have to pay for myself. I am paying for the Innsbruck World Cup with no help from any government or national federation, and because of all my travels, the bills can become quite overwhelming. But I just have to say a HUGE thanks to my parents for supporting me emotionally, physically, and financially through this where needed,” she shares.
Pictured above: Lauren Mukheibir
Modestly, Lauren welcomes any donation, however small, to help her prepare for Paris. “For those who have donated so far, a huge thank you. Your generosity has helped pay for many weeks of training in Perth and physio appointments up to now. Thank you to those who have donated!”
The athletes will soon receive their South African Olympic kit, marking another significant milestone on their journey to the Olympics.
If you would like to support Lauren, she has a BackaBuddy account to help raise money for her pre-Olympic training. You can contribute by visiting her crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy where she has raised over R21 000 of her R200 000 goal with the help of 16 amazing donors.
Paul Sampson, a 24-year-old former street child from Muizenberg, Cape Town, is riding the waves of success on the international surfing stage. Recently, he showcased his talent at the first professional surfing event in Liberia, the African Surfing Confederation (ASC) African Surf Tour, held in Robertsport from Thursday, 23 May to Sunday, 28 May. Paul managed to secure a silver medal in this prestigious event.
Colin Fitch, his manager from Global Athlete Management Services, highlighted the high standards of the competition. “The event, which formed part of the newly formed African Surf Tour hosted by the African Surf Confederation in conjunction with the Liberian Surfing Federation with direct support from the President and the respective government department,” he explains.
Pictured above: Paul Sampson
A Journey Fueled by Passion
Paul’s love for surfing began at the tender age of 6. “I started surfing at the young age of six and I have progressed through all levels of this wonderful sport,” he shares. From participating in the Grom Games for young surfers to competing on the professional tour in Africa under the International World Surf League (WSL), Paul’s journey is truly inspiring.
The World Surf League comprises three levels of events: the regional Qualifying Series (QS), the Challenger Series (CS), and the Championship Tour (CT), which is considered the “jewel in the crown.” Paul’s recent victories at the Cape Town Pro (QS) in Cape Town and his performance in Port Elizabeth have catapulted him to joint first on the Africa Tour.
Making Waves on the World Stage
Paul is among a select few – one of only five male surfers from Africa – to reach the second level of the WSL Challenger Series. “This is a lifetime opportunity for me to show my surfing talent to the rest of the world,” he enthuses. His upcoming competitions span across Ballito, the United States of America (USA), Portugal, and Brazil as he surfs for his place among the top 80 surfers globally.
Reflecting on his second-place win at the ASC African Surf Tour, Paul says it marked an exciting start to his international professional surfing career. “A special thanks for the second-place winnings of $2,000 (roughly R36,000) which will go a long way to the start of my 2024 Challenger Series in South Africa, US Open and Portugal,” he acknowledges.
Pictured above: Paul celebrating his victory at the Benny Hikkaduwa Surfing Competition 2023
The Road Ahead
However, the road ahead requires financial support. To sustain his participation in various global events, Paul has initiated a BackaBuddy campaign to fund his professional surfing career. He explains, “The next upcoming event will take place at Willard Beach, Ballito-Durban and thereafter I will be heading to America, Portugal, and then Brazil for the final event.”
Paul’s advice to other surfers is simple yet profound: try your best. “Remember it’s not the size of the dog in the fight but the size of the fight in the dog. I may look like the mutt from the streets of Lavender Hill but never take this as a sign of weakness,” he asserts.
To realise his dreams, Paul humbly requests financial assistance. “I humbly request any support from fellow South Africans and to anyone abroad who can assist me to accomplish my dream.” All funds raised will be used for travelling, accommodation, food, entry fees into the competition, insurance, and taxes.
Paul Sampson’s journey from the streets of Muizenberg to the waves of the world is a testament to the power of passion and perseverance. “I would love to continue this journey as an inspiration to everyone as I believe that anything is possible when your heart and mind are in the right place,” he concludes.
KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) is brimming with pride as its Senior and Junior Protea rhythmic gymnastics teams secured a spectacular second place at the 18th African Championships in Kigali, Rwanda. This remarkable achievement has ignited a wave of rhythmic gymnastics fever across the province, celebrating the dedication and artistry of these young athletes.
Triumph in Kigali
The Senior Protea and Junior Protea teams, both hailing from KZN, captivated audiences and judges alike with their stunning performances. The senior team, consisting of gymnasts aged 16 and above, competed at the elite level, securing second place in both the hoop and ball/ribbon routines and earning a silver overall medal. The junior team, showcasing the talents of gymnasts aged 14-15, also dazzled by placing second in both hoop and club routines and winning the silver overall medal in their category.
Meet the Teams
Senior Team Members:
Babalwa Mkhize
Bericia Le Roux
Crystal Viljoen
Emily Impson
Nina Gaspar
Junior Team Members:
Almone Bosch
Amy Rose George
Abigail Smulders
Buhle Ngcobo
Naluthando Mbelu
Thandolwethu Mthiyane
Coaches Kayleigh Slaughter, Tayla Henry, and Robyn Mueller expressed immense pride in their gymnasts’ achievements. “As coaches, we are extremely proud of our gymnasts’ achievements at the 18th African Championship in Kigali, Rwanda. The junior group placed second in both hoop and club routines and won the silver overall medal in the junior category. The senior group also placed second in both the hoop and ball/ribbon routines and won the silver overall medal in the senior group category. These achievements are due to the hard work and dedication of the entire team. We look forward to seeing what the future holds.” they told East Coast Radio
Eyes on the Future
But the journey doesn’t stop here for these talented athletes. With their sights set on even bigger goals, including international competitions, national championships, and ultimately the World Championships next year, the teams are gearing up for an exciting year ahead.
How You Can Support
The path to success in rhythmic gymnastics is paved with dedication, specialised equipment, rigorous training, and the ability to travel for competitions. To help these athletes chase their dreams, the senior and junior Protea teams have launched a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy where they have already raised over R10 000 of their R310 000 goal with the help of 4 amazing donors.
Contributions will directly support the teams by securing top-notch training facilities and coaches, essential for refining their skills. Additionally, funds will go towards purchasing and maintaining equipment and covering travel costs for national and international competitions.
Charlton Mnyasta, an 18-year-old chess prodigy and grade 12 student at Elsies River High School, Cape Town, has been selected by Chess South Africa to represent the country in three major international tournaments this year.
Pictured above: Chess champion Charlton Mnyasta
Charlton’s journey in chess began seven years ago. Since then, his dedication and exceptional skill have earned him a prominent place in South African chess. Recently, he scored an impressive 8.5 out of 9 at the South African Junior Chess Championship 2024, securing his place at the World Junior Chess Championship in India next month and the Africa Junior Chess Championships in Egypt in November.
Beyond these accomplishments, Charlton has made a name for himself locally, securing a joint first-place finish at the Cape Town Open Chess Championship, winning first place at the Steinitz Chess Festival, and achieving fourth place at the South African Closed Chess Championship. These victories have not only established him as a formidable player but have also secured his spot on the South African Men’s team for the Chess Olympiad in Hungary this September.
Charlton’s dedication to chess is evident in his achievements and his aspirations. “I’m thrilled and honoured to represent my country. While I’m able to play the local tournaments within my province, it becomes challenging when I need to participate in inter-provincial and even more so on an international stage as the costs associated with these tournaments are too much,” Charlton told Daily Voice.
Pictured above: Charlton proudly showing off his trophies
The financial burdens of competing internationally are significant. Llewelyn Louw, chairperson of the Blackjacks Chess Club and Development Officer of the Cape Town Chess Federation, has taken up the cause to support Charlton. Louw is currently raising R50,000 through a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy to cover Charlton’s expenses for the championships in India and Egypt.
“I have been part of the chess fraternity for over 25 years, I have seen too many brilliant and talented chess players fall by the wayside and not become professionally recognised chess players because of financial constraints and a lack of funding afforded to this sport,” says Louw. He emphasizes the importance of supporting young talent like Charlton, who has the potential to build a prosperous future through chess if given the necessary financial support. “Charlton has the talent and determination to represent his country in many tournaments around the world but is not able to because financially he is handicapped.”
Alex Azevedo, an 18-year-old grade 12 student at Westerford High School in Newlands, Cape Town, is a ray of resilience and determination in the dynamic world of sports.
Selected for the World Squash Federation Junior Men’s and Women’s Team and Individual Championships in Houston, Texas, USA, from July 7th to 24th, 2024, Alex’s achievement marks the culmination of a goal she set for herself five years ago.
Pictured above: Alex with her dad Hugo, mum Taryn, and twin brother Dylan
“Wow! There was such a mix of emotions. Surprise! Shock! Excitement and a few nerves. I have been working toward this goal for 5 years now, but there was a point at which it seemed to be out of reach. But, I kept training and working because I don’t quit. Making the team has made me realise that anything is possible when you put your mind to it and ignore all the obstacles. It feels a little unreal, but wow, I made it to Worlds!!” says Alex.
Alex’s journey into the game of squash began when she was just 13-years-old. Encouraged by her dad Hugo (49) who is also an avid squash player, Alex took to the game like a moth to flame and has since never looked back. Her twin brother Dylan (18) is also a Junior Provincial squash player.
As a fiercely dedicated individual, Alex demands a lot from herself and works hard to achieve her goals. She enjoys spending time with her friends relaxing when she is not training, just like every other teenager. Her current training schedule does not leave much time for hobbies, and she spends her downtime reading or watching movies. Her dream is to be selected to play for South Africa in the Olympics.
Pictured above: Alex with her good friends Amy Taylor and Lucy Paterson
Witnessing Alex’s journey are her proud parents, Taryn (47) and Hugo, who have seen firsthand the unwavering dedication, discipline, sacrifice, and resilience she has demonstrated. Through the highs and lows, including heart-wrenching losses and injuries, Alex never wavered in her pursuit. Instead, she internalized the lessons, powering through relentlessly.
“We are very proud of her determination and resilience. Alex started playing squash seriously at a later age than most of her peers and it has been tough for her to achieve her goals. She was single-minded, through losses, injuries and all the lows. We are very excited for her and know that she will make the most of this experience!” says proud mum Taryn.
Alex’s influence extends beyond the squash court. As a role model to her cousin Leila King (13) and aspiring young female squash players, she embodies the spirit of tenacity necessary to thrive in this demanding sport. Squash, characterized by its intensity and near-combative nature, has played a pivotal role in Alex’s personal development, instilling in her valuable traits such as grit, determination, stress management, strategy, respect, sportsmanship, and grace in both victory and defeat.
Pictured above: Alex and her cousin Leila King engaged in a game of squash
“It is a privilege to be seen as a role model. I think when you are fighting hard for your goals you don’t always realise the impact you can have on the next generation of players. I certainly felt inspired by role models like Alexandra Fuller and Siyoli Waters who are South African players from my province that have played on the PSA tour. I will always keep this in mind and try my hardest every time I am on court, training or competing”. Alex tells us.
For Alex, this championship not only marks the pinnacle of her junior squash career but also serves as a springboard for future opportunities. With aspirations to study at international colleges or universities such as Trinity, Dartmouth, Birmingham, and many more where she plans to study an undergraduate degree in Business Science, this milestone brings her one step closer to her ultimate dream: representing her country in the Olympics, with squash poised to make its debut in the prestigious event in 2028.
“Alex would love to have a career in squash but it is a tough sport to make a living from in South Africa. For now Alex is focussed on Worlds this year, then university and the Olympics in 2028.” says Alex’s dad Hugo.
Pictured above: Alex training for her games
However, to turn her dream into reality, Alex faces a financial hurdle. With tournament fees, flights, accommodation, kit, and other related costs looming, the family has started a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy where they have already raised over R20 000 of their R110 000 goal with the help of 13 amazing donors, to alleviate the financial strain that Alex faces.
“Being a sportsperson in South Africa is a challenge as there is little to no funding available from the government or the sports bodies to help with the costs of competing locally or internationally. Funding the expenses for a tournament like Worlds, from South Africa with our weak exchange rate is very difficult. We are grateful for the opportunity that Alex has been given and we are extremely thankful to people who are willing to support her in her incredible journey.” Taryn and Hugo tell us.
