The country’s first-of-its-kind open water swim, the Oceans 8 Charity Swim, welcomes two top contenders to the 1 Mile leg, renowned triathletes Jane Brewer and Glen Gore. These Arena Ambassadors will join competitors at the Durban Undersea Club for this epic charity-fundraising initiative taking place on Saturday, 15 and Sunday, 16 June. With the 1 Mile swim limited to only 50 competitors per event, interested participants are encouraged to book now!
Durban North’s Glen Gore (55) who is an event organiser and professional multisport coach, has been breaking records and earning awards his entire swimming career. These include medals for the SA Swimming Champs before he started as a professional triathlete in 1994.
Although this will be his first Oceans 8 Charity Swim, he has competed in multiple open water swim events (the rougher the surfer the better!) remaining in competitive shape for ongoing triathlons. The Arena Ambassador said he is looking forward to competing in this charity and conservation-focused swim: “I swim in the sea often and I hate to see it being polluted so I am ALL in to make it a better place and keep human filth out of it!”
Fellow triathlete and Durban North resident, Jane Brewer (52), will also be entering the water with some notable achievements behind her. These include 5 Ironmans, numerous 70.3 events – including the World Champs – the Torpedo Swim Run and many Midmar Miles.
Brewer, who is a swim specialist retailer passionate about sports gear and an Arena Ambassador, is also competing in the Oceans 8 Charity Swim for the first time.
“I love the idea and a mile is quite manageable for me as I swim pretty regularly so will just try and work on some speed over the next few weeks. The fundraising side is unbelievable and it’s a great way for people to challenge themselves while raising money for desirable causes. It gets people out of their comfort zone, to experience the joy of ocean swimming, and for many it’s about overcoming fears. I think it is something most people are capable of doing – especially the 1 Mile – and the sense of achievement they will gain will be unbeatable.”
Oceans 8 Charity Swim Details
This ocean swim was started by founding charities – Duzi Umngeni Conservation Trust (DUCT), the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), Project Rhino, and Singakwenza Early Childhood Education – to provide a sustainable flow of funding for such charities. Last year’s inaugural event welcomed more than 170 swimmers who raised R926 359.79 for the 14 charities. This year, event organisers are hoping to double that number.
The 1 Mile is an age-category event with age-group medals and an entry fee of R150 per swimmer, which includes a cap and a hand-beaded keyring medal. Each 1 Mile swimmer will also need to fundraise R850 which will be split equally between the 10 invitational KwaZulu-Natal charities.
1. Adopt-a-River (www.adoptariversa.org)
2. Caversham Education Institute (www.cavershaminstitute.co.za)
3. CROW – The Centre for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (www.crowkzn.co.za)
4. Game Rangers’ Association of Africa (www.gameranger.org)
5. International Sailors’ Society of Southern Africa (www.saiss.co.za)
6. Kerr House (www.kerrhouse.co.za)
7. Liberty NPO (www.libertynpo.co.za)
8. One Planet S.A. (www.oneplanet.org.za)
9. Wildlife ACT (www.wildlifeact.com)
10. Umduduzi – Hospice Care for Children (www.umduduzi.co.za)
The Oceans 8 Charity Swim also includes the longer 4 Miler and 8 Miler competitions, limited to 20 and 150 swimmers respectively. 4 Miler competitors pay an entry of R600 per person with R3 000 raised for charity, while 8 Miler competitors – who need to have competed in an official sea swim prior – pay an entry of R1 000 with a minimum of R5 000 raised for a charity of choice.
Enter now!
Visit www.oceans8swim.co.za to enter the 2024 Oceans 8 Charity Swim. For more information on sponsorship opportunities, contact info@oceans8swim.co.za, 033 343 1650 or 082 445 6764. Keep updated on all the action by following @oceans8_charityswim on Instagram and oceans8swim on Facebook.
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Author: Agnes Matladi from Olivia Jones Communications on behalf of Ocean 8.
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