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Sharks delay Sabrina Love Ocean Challenge 2010Wednesday, 29 December 2010 08:18 Great Whites raise adrenaline levels at Sabrina Love Ocean Challenge 2010The 2010 Sabrina Love Ocean Challenge (presented by Stonehage and Discovery) not only broke all attendance records with more than 2600 athletes participating across the seven sporting events, but was also the first time in the event's seven years that the 6km Ocean Swim was delayed by the appearance of three Great White sharks in Plettenberg Bay. The inaugural swim in 2004 attracted 13 brave souls who had only their wits to rely on. Seven years on and the field has grown to 200 who take on the challenge of swimming across the bay from Robberg Corner to Central Beach and safety measures introduced by premier Knysna based events company Magnetic South ensured that every possible eventuality had been considered. With the Discovery Medicopter operated by ER24 acting as an eye in the sky and staffed by the highly professional NSRI Plett volunteers plus a highly skilled kayaking team from the local canoe clubs all made it possible to pick up the arrival of a number of three metre Great White sharks on the swim route. It took a number of air reconnaissance flights and the introduction of two shark pods that eventually persuaded these majestic creatures to move off an hour after the scheduled start and allow the swim to pass by without incident. “It was certainly dramatic to have this build up to the start of such a challenge and considering that over half the field comprised of swimmers who had not done this particular event before it was amazing to see the determination in everyone to take part irrespective of the fact that their adrenaline levels had been given a supercharge. I have absolute respect for all who have this intense drive and passion to accomplish such a feat", commented Chris Crewdson of Magnetic South. The 6km Ocean Swim was won by Olympian Chad Ho in 1.00.11 in the Men with Natalie Du Toit taking the Women's title in 1.00.35. The 10km Run, 15km Surfski, Beach Walk and Kids Of Steel all attracted huge crowds on the first day with Central Beach a sea of pink with a beautiful sunny day to round it all off.
 Chad Ho, Natalie du Toit and Michele Eray in the Sabrina Love Ocean Challenge
Day Two was the complete opposite with rain and a change of scenery as the venue moved from beach to the lush Cape Nature Reserve on the Keurbooms River. Natalie Du Toit and Chad Ho achieving another double by taking both the podium in the 1 Mile Swim. However it was disabled athlete John Marriner who stole the show when he was the last to leave the water and had only the use of his arms to achieve this amazing challenge. He is a tribute to what the SabrinaLove Ocean Challenge event is all about and that is to assist kids with special needs.
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