It’s NZ for matric lifesavers

THE second they finish their final English exam on Monday, two local matriculants will rush off to the airport to go and compete in the International Surf Rescue Challenge 2017.

Kurt Rautenbach and Joshua Templeton, both 18, from the Big Bay Lifesaving Club, will participate in the competition hosted by Surf Life Saving New Zealand at Mount Maunganui, Tauranga, from November 30 until December 3.

The event is based on a competition programme conducted over three tests, which include swim, surf board, surf ski and beach events.

Kurt Rautenbach of Milnerton High School said he began training as a swimmer and lifeguard at the age of five.

“One day the surf was quite big and I was petrified of the water and I went to go hide away because I didn’t want to do the swim. My dad came to fetch me and told me, I mustn’t give up.

“Ever since then I started swimming, I fell in love with water. I started to live in the water, I did swimming everyday of my life and on the weekends when I didn’t swim, I was at the beach with my friends, having fun in the water,” he said.

Rautenbach said his motivation to continue working as a lifeguard stems from competitiveness, resilience and his love of the ocean.

“Despite exam stress, I am really excited,” he said.

Rautenbach plans to study accounting, in line with his other love – numbers.

Templeton, of Rondebosch Boys’ High School, said he was four years old when he learnt how to swim and began lifeguard training.