Swimming for polio
Lyn Aitken
THE Rotary Club of Jeffreys Bay and the Rotary Satellite Club of St Francis both took part in the global Rotary Swimarathon on Saturday, February 25.
The event was organised in support of the international attempt to beat the standing Guinness World Record for the most number of people swimming at the same time anywhere in the world.
Between the two events which took place between 2 and 3pm, the clubs raised more than R3500 all of which will go towards the Rotary International End Polio Now campaign.
Jeffreys Bay Rotarians partnered with JBay Swim and held their event at the Training Edge Gym while the St Francis Rotarians partnered with St Francis Sport and the Earlyact Club of St Francis College and held their event at the old hotel swimming pool in St Francis Bay.
A total of 38 entrants in Jeffreys Bay completed the required non-stop 100 metres while the St Francis entrants who completed the distance totalled a proud 46. Swimmers of all ages and abilities took part, with the youngest entrant ofthe day being five- year-old Jeffreys Bay novice swimmer, Noah de Swardt.
"We had children here today representing all of our local schools, as well as many folks who are not strong swimmers,” said Rotary Satellite Club of St Francis Bay president, Tracy de Jager.
"Everyone was so excited to be part of a real world-record attempt, and I am so pleased that both our events qualified for the international count. We all had so much fun that we are seriously considering making the Rotary Swimarathon an annual event on our Rotary Club calendar,” said Rotary Club of Jeffreys Bay president, Salomien de Klerk.