The Marine Mongrels are heading to Australia to represent South Africa; Jenn Seady reached out to share her support and rally South Africa to do the same.
South Africa (25 June 2024) — Jenn Seady has written to share the joys of Surfboat Rowing, a popular event within the lifesaving community. The sport is close to her heart, and it is how she has pushed through two bouts of cancer. She is undergoing treatment at present, and the team heading to Australia to represent South Africa has been sharing updates with her regularly.
Jenn hopes that South Africa will get behind the Marine Mongrals, who are due to represent South Africa. After everything the team has done for her, this is her way to pay it forward, to share their story far and wide.
Jenn starts by explaining the sport and how it has been her driving force for the past four years. She goes on to rally support for the team going overseas and its a heartwarming tale.
“There’s a sport called surfboat rowing which is part of Lifesaving. Apart from being super fit, you also have to be a little a nutty to partake in this rather eventful, occasionally dangerous rowing sport where four team members rowing a boat through the waves out to sea, turn around and race back, hopefully catching waves in the process.
The sweep steers the boat from the back, and the team sits with their backs towards the waves, timing, skill and a whole lot of trust in your team is required. It is the ultimate team sport where you take on the ocean and is one of the greatest tests of endurance.
Surfboat rowing has been my life and lifeline for the last four years. Everything I do is so I can secure my position on the boat, with my team.
As luck would have it, straight after Lifesaving Nationals 2022 I caught a dose of cancer. Treatment promptly started and I got over it eventually. I rowed 2023 Nationals while doing treatment and my team came second to Marine. Second again! Marine is a massive lifesaving club from Durban and they have a reputation for always being the best. My club, Bluewater Bay, has the gees and tenacity to take on any challenge and 3m wave, not scared!
Unfortunately, this year, a scan flagged another dose of cancer! My team missed Nationals 2024, for various reasons, I had yet another operation, felt really down and very sorry for myself. It was a great disappointment as all I could think of during chemo and all that goes with is, was surfboat rowing.
Obsessed! I trained as much as I could, took part in World Master Flatwater rowing (we came third!) in September 2023. Ran races, did triathlon, swam oceans and rivers, albeit, all very slowly just to maintain fitness and strength for surfboat rowing.
Fast forward to June 2024, the Marine Ladies team known as The Mongrels is off to Australia to row in the World Champs of Lifesaving on the Gold Coast.
My dream! The Mongrels is led by world-class sweep Gary Brummer. This is possibly the biggest opportunity afforded to a South African Surfboat Rowing team since the 1980s. To make it even more awesome is that it is the first time a ladies team is going to Australia. They are focused and dedicated. It’s not easy to get up at 4 am in winter to go train and the still work a full day. They have done all their own fund collections but are still short of accommodation costs, nutrition and vehicle hire.
I have been vicariously living my dream through one of their team members who sends me training updates and videos. Lifts my spirit on gloomy days. Who would ever do that for an opposing team?! The other day, when I got out hospital, Anike sent me this video clip that their team did for me. Well, guess who filled a river of crocodile tears! This video got me out of a slump I was spiralling towards; my soul was instantly uplifted, and my focus is back. How could I ever thank this opposing team for this generous gesture? I believe the world needs to see what true heroes are all about.
This team needs South Africa’s support. They exude every possible quality of great sportsmanship. Their kindness knows no bounds. Their focus, trust, love and dedication towards their team and sport is admirable.
Let’s make the Marine Mongrels great!”
There is a BackaBuddy fund to help cover the costs of the team getting to Australia, you can join Jenn’s efforts to support them by donating here.
Sources: Story Supplied
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