An immersive underwater workshop for young swimmers
Secrets of the Sea
Plett Ocean Festival partners with The Black Mermaid Foundation, Plett Adopt a Swimmer and LOOKOUT DECK to bring water-ready Adopt a Swimmer students from previously disadvantaged communities of Plettenberg Bay to an inspiring and life-changing workshop, exploring the underwater world of the Keurbooms lagoon.
Under the guidance of free dive instructor Zandile Ndhlovu, and swimming instructor, Louise Auersperg, the children don wetsuit, mask and snorkel, and put their heads down into the curious world of fish, nudibranchs and rays.
The workshop is only available to Adopt a Swimmer students.
THE AMAZING DAY
10.00 am: 30 young learners and 6 newly-graduated adult swimmers arrive, along with the support team of Plett Sharkspotters, Plett Surf lifesavers, and volunteers.
10.15 am: Tune in to Shark Spotters with games and fun learning activities.
11.15 am: Snax - muffins, fruit, juice and nibbles to fuel the swimmers for the underwater experience.
11.30 am: Kit up - wetsuits, masks and snorkels.
11.45 am: Jump off time with Zandi and Louise. The first groups begin the underwater adventure from the floating jetty.
1.30 pm - 2.00 pm: Grub and chill.
2.15 pm: Mermaid Tales with Zandile and photo opportunities. Farewell to the Black Mermaid.
ZANDILE NDHLOVU & THE BLACK MERMAID FOUNDATION
Zandile Ndhlovu is a Freediving Instructor and founder of The Black Mermaid Foundation, an organisation seeking to create diverse representation in the ocean arena. Her work centres around enabling access to ocean spaces to local ocean communities with the goal of bringing about inclusive participation in the use of ocean spaces recreationally, professionally and in sport, while creating a new generation of ocean guardians.
LOUISE AUERSPERG & ADOPT A SWIMMER
Adopt a Swimmer was officially registered as a non-profit in 2013, spearheaded by Louise Auersperg. Under her guidance and coaching, hundreds of Plett children have had the opportunity to learn to swim, an essential life skill.
It doesn’t stop there; if a child shows inclination and promise, Adopt a Swimmer mentors and sponsors them through to the next phase such as Micro Nippers, Nippers, life-saving, surfing, and NSRI water-wise programs.
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