GQEBERHA – From record-breaking swims to a memorable one-two finish by local twins, Day 3 of the 2026 DHL Lifesaving Championships South Africa delivered a powerful mix of elite performance and inspiring young talent.
The pool programme closed on a high, with two new South African records set in the 200m Super Lifesaver events.
Migael Reuven van der Merwe of Harties Reflections broke the Boys U15 record with a time of 2:30.96, surpassing the previous mark set in 2022.
Clifton’s Matthew Brooker followed with another record-breaking performance in the Boys U19 category, clocking 2:13.60 to further underline his dominance in the competition.
Nippers deliver on the beach
On the beach, the nipper events brought energy and excitement, with strong performances across age groups.
In the U14 boys Beach Flags, Chase Sim of Clifton claimed top honours, while Kings Beach dominated the girls’ event, securing both first and second place through Lyra Harmse and Emma Pretorius.
One of the standout moments came in the U13 girls Beach Flags, where local twins Ella and Ruby Stutterheim finished first and second, delighting the home crowd with a rare sibling double.
Fish Hoek Surf Lifesaving Club emerged as the clear winners in the nipper division, amassing 976 points to finish well ahead of Clifton, Kings Beach and Summerstrand.
At the conclusion of the pool competition, Clifton topped the overall standings with 836.5 points, followed by Kings Beach and Summerstrand, setting up a competitive final phase.
Individual excellence recognised
Top individual honours in the pool went to standout athletes including Thandi Bosman, Jack Allott, Kiera van Heerden and Aiden Bornman, reflecting the depth of talent on display.
With both the nipper beach programme and pool events now complete, focus shifts to the surf, where Masters competitors take to the ocean next, while juniors and seniors prepare to return after a rest day.
The championships continue to build momentum, combining elite competition with strong community spirit as the event heads into its final stages.
ALSO READ: Lifesaving SA Champs kicks off with record performances
You must be logged in to post a comment.