Heavy Seas – But Sabrina Goes Ahead

Everyone who was there agrees: the 2008 Sabrina Love Ocean Challenge was a winner – despite powerful winds and huge seas which rocked Plettenberg Bay in the days preceding the traditional December 28th running of the event.

“Safety considerations forced us to call off the open ocean swim (both the 6 km adult event and the 600 metre kids event) at the last minute, but the event managers, Magnetic South, pulled the rabbit out of the hat and set new courses on the Keurbooms Lagoon so that, in the end, the day went off without a hitch,” said the Sabrina Love Foundation’s Tony Lubner.

“What amazed us, though, was the number of entries that poured in: I haven’t seen the final figures yet, but I think it’s well over a thousand – which is double what we had last year.”

Mr Lubner said that, as a result of generous sponsorship from the international family wealth advisers, Stonehage, all entry fees and all income from the sale of Sabrina gifts and memorabilia went directly to the Foundation, which exists to help children – and the families of children – living with disabilities in Plettenberg Bay.

“This is our main fundraiser for the year and the increase in entries will mean a huge injection of capital,” he said, adding that what impressed him most was the number of walkers who took part this year (entrants in the Sabrina Love Ocean Challenge can choose between the swim itself, an open ocean paddle, a 10 km road-and-beach run or a non-competitive 3 km walk).

“This is what the Sabrina is all about – families doing things together and for the good of the community,” he said.

At least three of South Africa’s Olympians took part this year – and all achieved first-place finishes. Swimmers Chad Ho and Natalie du Toit won the men’s and ladies’ swims (in 53:45 and 54:35 respectively), while kayaker Michelle Eray won the ladies paddle in 1:15:31.

Ms. du Toit’s time put her in second place overall.

“I think definitely being in the Lagoon was a different swim,” she said. “I prefer it in the sea, but hopefully next year we’ll have better weather.”

She thanked the sponsors and the Lubner family and said that she was particularly impressed with the organisation of the event – which saw the beaches of Plettenberg Bay bathed in pink (the Sabrina Foundation’s corporate colours are pink and black). And, in another display of the spirit of the Sabrina, she donated her prize (seven nights at the V&A Waterfront courtesy of Southern Suns with air tickets by Kulula.com) to the Foundation. It was immediately sold by auction for R8,000.00.

The run – which includes 2 km along the beach (a section which Comrades King, Bruce Fordyce described as “incredibly difficult”) – was won by Lieuwe Boonstra in 36:26. Alae Brand was the first woman home in 41:39. Graham Bird won the men’s paddle in 1:15:13, while locals Neil Stephenson and Steph Le Roux won the men’s double in 1:09:17..

Full results on the organiser’s web site – www.magneticsouth.net; and there’s more about the Sabrina Love Foundation at www.sabrinalove.co.za

ENDS 530 Words

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