The DHL Stormers got to feel what it is like training to be a National Sea Rescue Institute volunteer and earned a new respect for the Atlantic ocean.
Cape Town, South Africa (12 October 2020) – Last week, while the DHL Stormers were on a bye week break, they visited the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) to learn all about sea rescue and even took a plunge in the freezing cold Atlantic ocean.
If you have ever had the pleasure of being in Cape Town, you will have tried to brave the chilly waters and will know how cold it really is.
The DHL Stormers forwards honoured the efforts of the NSRI by braving the cold water, to learn just how much the team faces when saving lives.
“Following a comprehensive safety briefing, with all COVID-19 protocols strictly observed at Station 03, the NSRI base at the Waterfront in Cape Town, the DHL Stormers’ big men were taken out on the open seas on a number of different sea rescue vessels.
Once out on the Atlantic, with Table Mountain and Cape Town as a scenic backdrop, the forwards were invited to show off their strength and power when they were challenged to participate in a number of NSRI routine training exercises, one of which was to self-right a capsized boat in groups of four.
Diversity of skills, technique, discipline and teamwork is what makes the work that the NSRI does special, and it soon became clear, that much like on the rugby field, skills and technique are just as important as power and strength, with the DHL Stormers players eventually self-righting the boat with some help from their new friends – the NSRI crew.
Soon enough, all of the DHL Stormers forwards and their coaches were in the water, safely in their lifejackets, to learn about the importance of coming together and supporting one another while out of their comfort zone.”
The players developed a healthy respect for the ocean and the teams that brave it every day.
“This was an amazing experience for all of us, to get out there and appreciate what these people do to keep others safe in our waters. The power and strength of the ocean is something that must always be respected, as well as the time and effort that the NSRI put into keeping us all safe out there,” – Siya Kolisi
Working together on the various challenges set by the NSRI, the team had good preparations for the upcoming Vodacom Super Rugby Unlocked campaign.
“The ocean is powerful and unrelenting, which is what we would like to see from our forward pack on the field this season, but this outing with the NSRI was about far more than just that.
“We experienced the teamwork and organisation that goes into the selfless work that the NSRI do and we cannot thank them enough for giving us the opportunity to get out there and see for ourselves what is possible when we work together.
“We went through some tough moments in the freezing water, but the players pulled together well, which was fantastic to see,” – John Dobson, DHL Stormers Head Coach
Take a look at some of the images from the day below.
Photo Credit: Simon McDonnell / NSRI - Supplied
Photo Credit: Simon McDonnell / NSRI - Supplied
Photo Credit: Simon McDonnell / NSRI - Supplied
Photo Credit: Simon McDonnell / NSRI - Supplied
Photo Credit: Simon McDonnell / NSRI - Supplied
Photo Credit: Simon McDonnell / NSRI - Supplied
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