SHATTERING STEREOTYPES
Team Ketsh Up fitness movement helps conquer fears
Women who until now have been terrified of swimming in the sea or who have never ridden a bicycle, are joining Port Elizabeth’s Team Ketsh Up training squad in droves to conquer their fears and reach for their dreams. The fitness movement, started by Rebecca “Becky” Nyangaresi-Gatang’i and her friend Bianca Reichelt in 2016, has grown into a sizeable club whose members swim, cycle and run in triathlon events. Right from day one, Ketsh Up aimed to shatter stereotypes about African women and, in particular, debunk myths around riding a bicycle and swimming. “From a trio of ladies determined to learn how to cycle and swim, we are now a group of 101 at various stages of their triathlon journey and the beauty of it all is that they are getting stronger and taking on new challenges,” mom-of-three Becky, 33, said. “So when we say we conquer fears and break stereotypes, we mean just that. Team Ketsh Up also will tackle the SPAR Women’s Challenge on May 4. “We don’t just promote interest in triathlon, it’s a lifestyle, and the SPAR race is one of our flagship events,” Becky says. Ketsh Up slots newbies into training groups according to their level. Beginner cyclists, for example, will join Group A, which meets at 3pm on a Saturday afternoon at King’s Beach, and learn how to ride a bike. “Group B are more comfortable, they know the bike a bit better and can ride around,” Becky said. “It’s a whole system but it’s very simple. “For swimming we have partnered with professional coaches because that can be a life-or-death situation. “Within six weeks they are ready to be introduced to the ocean.” Members Ameera Campbell and Rushda Jappie completed the full Ironman African Championship on Sunday April 7, while Becky – who only started triathlon three years ago – now has three “half” Ironman 70.3s under her belt. As numbers grew, however, Ketsh Up saw it was not only black women who were held back by their fears. Membership is therefore open to any woman who wants to join and take on the challenge. It is also free although members must sign an indemnity form. Phindile Nama and Oageng Malgas help Becky manage the group but along with other volunteers are unpaid because, as Becky says modestly, “there are so many Beckys who want to pay it forward and it’s very rewarding”.