UKZN Academic Wins Seven Medals at National Lifesaving Championships

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School of Management, Information Technology and Governance academic, Ms Thea van der Westhuizen, won four gold, two silver and a bronze medal as a member of the Suncoast Pirates Surf Lifesaving Club at the 2016 LSA Surf National Championships in Port Elizabeth. 

The championships involve qualified lifesavers competing in various ocean-based sports including surfsking, surf swimming and beach sprints, among others. 

Participants need to have successfully completed a Surf Lifesaving Proficiency Course through Lifesaving South Africa. 

Van der Westhuizen, who completed the three-month National Certificate course last year, said its theory, accumulation and first aid skills as well as proficiency to swim in the ocean and in flatwater contributed immensely to her success in the Championships. 

‘I competed in the surfski, board, surf swim, beach flags, beach sprints, long beach run and iron lady events which require all round ocean skills and fitness. As I was new to Durban after spending almost 10 years living in the Middle East, I thought it would be an exciting challenge to learn more about the ocean and improve my ocean safety skills. Completing the SPA course as well as training sessions in the ocean enabled me to read the ocean better and become better in the surf,’ she said. 

To prepare for the event, van der Westhuizen and her team - which included UKZN alumni, Mr Philip Marree, Mr Gary Wakeling, Mr Shane Misdorp and Mr Charles Khumalo - trained three times a week from 5:45am and on weekends. 

‘Our team won a total of 27 individual medals,’ said van der Westhuizen. ‘As academics our minds and thoughts are usually intensely occupied. I believe we need similar physical intensity in order to maintain a healthy life balance.’

Thandiwe Jumo