Caleb Swanepoel may have lost his leg in a Shark attack but that did not stop him from getting back into the ocean… and now the talented athlete is going to represent South Africa at the World Para Surfing Championships!!!
Western Cape, South Africa (18 October 2021) – A young South African actor who took up surfing after having his right leg bitten off by a great white shark, now needs your help to get him to the ISA World Para Surfing Championships in California, USA this December.
26-year-old Caleb Swanepoel was a young acting student with a love of the outdoors when his life changed forever at the age of 20.
Featured on Truly, the South African explained that he was bodysurfing in the sea during a family holiday when he was attacked by a great white shark, which pulled him underwater and severed his right leg above the knee.
“He was able to swim to shore with the help of his brother Sandy before being airlifted to the hospital. Amazingly Caleb was on crutches within three days and spent a mere 10 days in the hospital – going back into the ocean to conquer his fears only three weeks after the attack.”
You can watch that interview here:
Caleb started surfing as part of his physical therapy and was invited to the first-ever South African Adaptive Surfing Championships – where he ended up winning his category, earning a spot to represent South Africa at the World Adaptive Surfing Games.
Despite the trauma of Caleb’s shark attack, the para-athlete is at pains to stress how happy he is to have survived – and to be able to continue to compete. He said: “Something I take away from my shark attack is to value what you’ve been given. I think a lot of the time we take for granted our bodies; I want to show people that your disability doesn’t define you – it’s just part of you.”
He has since become a 3 x South African Para-Surfing Champion, a National Para-Swimming Champion, and a motivational speaker.
“I have been selected for the 2021 South African team to compete at the ISA World Para Surfing Championships in California this December.”
Unfortunately, there is no financial support for the athletes from our government, so the funds raised here will be to help pay for flights, accommodation, food, transport, entry into the event and classification costs.
“To be able to represent my country on an international stage doing a sport I love is an absolute privilege and a dream come true! Please help me achieve this by supporting this initiative in whatever way possible. Thank you!”
To help Caleb reach his target, click here.
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