Pupils scoop silver and bronze in icy waters

While dodging scores of jellyfish and braving freezing water, a pair of pupils managed to scoop second and third place at the annual Chapman’s Peak Meander last weekend.

Llandudno Primary School pupils, Sofia Moriz and Charly Abernethy are both in Grade 6 and both tackled their first 800m open water race according to school spokesperson, Marzanne Scheepers.

The Chapman’s Peak Meander also includes a 1.6km and 4.8km race category, according to Big Bay events website. 

"These brave young swimmers, the only children participating, navigated flat waters alongside some dolphins who stopped by on the day.

"In the women's wetsuit category, Sofia took 2nd (22:52) and Charly 3rd (23:01), impressively placing 10th and 11th overall amongst all adult swimmers! Sofia's dad Ike Moriz also took part with them as well as Charlie's mom, Nicci Abernethy," Ms Scheepers said.

Sofia says the water was extremely cold and there were a frightening amount of jellyfish.

"I still enjoyed the race especially since there was a rainbow in the sky and dolphins too!"

Charlie swam every day of the week after school (during private swimming lessons) to prepare for the race.

"I was challenging trying to dodge the jellyfish in the water. There were so many of them and there was a big one that scared me!" Charlie recalls.

Sofia says she wants to compete in the 1600m swim category in the future while Charlie wants to reach the mile swim eventually.