Swim for sharks and Alba sees whale encounter

Update

MOSSEL BAY NEWS - The third instalment of the open-water swim Project Deep saw young endurance athlete and marine conservationist Kane Johnstone (19) encountering a southern right whale on Saturday 19 September.

Project Deep was created in partnership with the Earth Legacy Foundation to raise awareness of the ecological importance of Mossel Bay's shark populations and to advocate for a proposed shark catch exclusion zone (Scez) in Mossel Bay.

His first swim was on 19 February: 22km from The Point all the way to Glentana Beach. The second, on 4 April, was 14km from Fransmanshoek to Dana Bay's First Beach.

This third swim, from First Beach to The Point, was a little different. This swim wasn't only for the sharks, but was dedicated to Mossel Bay's Alba Overbeeke (13), the daughter of Earth Legacy Foundation's Esther Jacobs, who was rediagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in May this year, and Robin Skeates, a friend of Johnstone's who had died at a young age.

Johnstone after finishing his third Project Deep swim.
Photo: Esther Jacobs

Johnstone had expected to finish last Saturday's swim just after 13:00, but completed it an hour early. He told Mossel Bay Advertiser in a video interview afterwards that although it was the shortest distance he had swum, it was the toughest. The conditions were not ideal and the water was extremely cold; however, his encounter with a southern right whale just 15 minutes in, as well as a sunfish, which is part of the Molidae family, made it extra special.

"I don't think many people can say they have been run into by a whale!" said Johnstone.

If you would like to support Project Deep, you can donate to the BackaBuddy campaign: www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/project-deep. For more information on the project, and updates, follow the Earth Legacy Foundation on Facebook or visit www.earthlegacyfoundation.org/mossel-bay-shark-catch-exclusion-zone.

And if you want to support Alba, visit the Facebook page, Alba the Brave, or her BackaBuddy campaign: www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/albas-second-battle-against-leukaemia.

Previous articles: