Founder of Helderberg-based Masikhule non-profit organisation, Léanne Keet, will later this month brave the waters of the False Bay coast in the Swim the Bay for Books, fund-raiser, a 33km marathon swim from Miller’s Point to Rooi Els.
The fund-raiser is hosted to raise funds for books to be bought and distributed to the ECD centres, Masikhule works with.
As to why she has opted for this somewhat unconventional and gruelling method of fund-raising Ms Keet says through their work with Masikhule, they realised there was a great need for age-appropriate books for the baby and toddler groups at the ECD centres the NPO works with.
“And, as I enjoy a challenge, we thought this would be an ideal opportunity to raise funds to purchase books for this specific age group,” she reveals.
As an experienced open water swimmer, who last year swam to Robben Island, her levels of fitness and endurance is on par but training for a marathon swim like this one still takes a huge amount of preparation. This includes getting time and mileage swimming in the open water, getting used to different swimming conditions as well as adapting to water temperatures.
The right nutrition leading up to the event and on the day is another key element, she adds.
Fortunately, Ms Keet will not take on this aquatic fundraising-action alone and will do so as part of a relay team. The team consists of herself, Amy Lansdell, Chris Mullineux and David Hall.
“We are all part of the Strand Ocean Warriors and enjoy a friendship and a love for open water swimming that has developed over a number of years.
“Amy is a swim coach and has incredible speed and endurance, Chris has such an easy swimming style that belies his speed in the water and David is like a bull terrier in the water- he does not give up,” she lists some of the valuable skills they bring to the challenge.
To ensure their safety during the swim, the team will be supported by Derrick Frazer of Big Bay Events. To guard against the crafty, dangerous predators of the sea, Mr Frazer’s boat, Ms Keet reveals, is equipped with a shark shield, ‘so sharks are not a huge concern of ours’, she says reassuringly.
However, the swim does still pose other risks and unpredictable possibilities. “Anything can happen on the day, and we could encounter jellyfish, bluebottles, seals, sea currents, swell, changes in water temperature and wind conditions.
“The crossing could take us anything from 10 to 15 hours, so just being out in the ocean and on a boat for that period is a challenge in itself,” she outlines only a few of these daunting scenarios.
But amid the challenges, the team is committed to follow through, all with the sole goal of making a difference.
“Masikhule has been offering a service in Early Childhood Development in the Helderberg area for almost 20 years. If we can do this challenge to ensure that young children are better equipped and on track for schooling and more specifically, have books to read and enjoy, then it will be all the more worthwhile,” Ms Keet concludes.
The team’s swimming window period is any day between Saturday March 9 and Friday March 19. More information is on the Masikhule Facebook Page.
The public can pledge their support to the Swim the Bay for Books cause at www.givengain.com/campaign/swim-the-bay-for-books
