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Cape Town - Durban Surf’s dynamic teenage duo of Tannah Smith (under-13) and Tatum Botha (under-14) lived up to their billing as among the best Female Nippers in country with outstanding performances on the first day of the General Tire Lifesaving South Africa National Championships at Port Elizabeth’s King’s Beach.
Botha’s father, Dylan, is an iconic figure in South African Lifesaving, having represented Team South Africa on three occasions and been a national champions on two occasions. He has also for the past decade been one of the most influential coaches among the juniors.
Much is expected of daughter Tatum and son Connor, who is rated as one of the country’s leading 16-year-old. Neither disappointed, and while Connor was impressing in the Stillwater National Championships at Newton Park, his sister claimed the first family final’s victory of the week. Connor Botha will compete in the Stillwater (Pool) and Surf events.
Tatum Botha claimed the gold in the U14 Run/Swim/Run and Smith took the honours in the U13 Run/Swim/Run.
Her achievements this year include:
*KZN High Schools swimming
*8 x NATIONAL NIPPER TITLES (swims and run swim run)
*2 x INTERPROVICIAL SURF LIFESAVING TITLES - Surf Swim u13 and IRON NIPPER combined U13/14
*4 x South African Open Water LIFESAVING titles 2018
Close to 2 000 competitors are in Port Elizabeth this week for the biggest ever Lifesaving competitive extravaganza, which started with the Masters Pool and Surf competition this past weekend. The Championships include more than 500 category races and finish on Saturday, April 7. The South African National Squad will also be named to compete in the World Championships later this year in Australia.
Local Port Elizabeth favourite Daniel Jones, who was part of South Africa’s Lifesaving Surf squad in New Zealand in 2017, is another competing in the respective Stillwater and Surf Championships. He was prominent in the heats on Day One.
Other to impress in the Pool included Tuks’ Richard Peach, Ally Chislett (Pirates), Travis Misdorp (Pirates) and East London's Joshua Fenn.
The Fenn’s, another of the celebrated Lifesaving family success stories, also had reason to celebrate with Jordan Fenn’s victory in the U13 Run/Swim/Run.
Clifton’s Noar Lombard won the U14 Run/Swim/Run.
Other winners included Fish Hoek’s Leah Winter in the Female U13 Beach Run, Matthew van Coller (Plett) in the male U13 Beach Run, Scottburgh’s Christian Stanto in the U14 Beach Run and King’s Beach’s Joshua Voigt in the U14 Beach Run.
The Gous husband and wife pairing of Fanta and Tracy made it a victorious family affair on the opening day of General Tire’s National Lifesaving SA Masters Stillwater Championship at Newton Park.
Saturday's opening day was exclusive to the Masters Pool Events and Summerstrand’s Fanta and Tracy Gous were among the best on show.
Fanta Gous was strong in most events in the 45-50 years age group and wife Tracy (in the 40-45 age group) dominated in the pool and was the stand out female athlete.
Among Tracy Gous’ victories was the 100 metre Mannikin Tow with Flippers event.
Summerstrand’s Brad Reen was another top performer and Doug Herbert (50-55 years) got his week off to a good start. Herbert is one of only a handful of athletes competing for the prestigious ‘Tough Athlete’ Prize in Stillwater and Surf Events.
Tracy Gous also excelled in Sunday's Surf Masters, winning the Beach Sprint in the 40-45 year female age group,
Summerstrand's Reen was another who starred in the Pool Events and also at Sunday's Surf Masters. In one of the upsets of the day, Tyrone Wicombe of the Port Elizabeth based Seagulls Lifesaving Club beat former world championship competitor Sihle "Trevor" Xaba of the Durban Surf Lifesaving Club in the final of the Men's Flags, age group 40-44.
For more information visit www.lifesaving.co.za or follow the event on social media https://twitter.com/LifesavingSA
