{"id":58250,"date":"2024-08-30T18:32:44","date_gmt":"2024-08-30T16:32:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southafricatoday.net\/sport\/?p=58250"},"modified":"2024-08-30T18:32:44","modified_gmt":"2024-08-30T16:32:44","slug":"schoeman-bridget-theunissen-win-south-africas-first-ever-splash-tri-dash","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southafricatoday.net\/sport\/athletics\/schoeman-bridget-theunissen-win-south-africas-first-ever-splash-tri-dash\/","title":{"rendered":"Schoeman, Bridget Theunissen win South Africa\u2019s first-ever Splash Tri Dash"},"content":{"rendered":"

The inaugural Splash Tri Dash which took place at Amanzimtoti Main Beach on Sunday, 25 August, supported by Sapphire Coast Tourism, was a massive success, attracting hundreds of spectators and some of the country\u2019s top competitors. The titles were taken by two of the country\u2019s best triathletes; Henri Schoeman (32) the Olympic bronze medallist in 2016, and Event Organiser Bridget Theunissen (22), a reserve Olympian who is also set to represent South Africa in the short-distance triathlon at the U23 World Championships in Spain.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Splash Tri Dash \u2013 presented by Splash Waterworld in association with Raging Rapids Water Slides and the Thirsty Whale Sports and Cocktail Bar \u2013 is a lap-racing event based on the hugely successful international Super League Triathlon racing. Individuals and teams competed in the 3×3 repeat triathlon, starting with a 200m ocean swim, a 3km bike, and a 1km run on the promenade \u2013 aiming for a share of the R40\u00a0000 prize purse. Entrants also received a free bacon and egg roll, and a goody pack jammed with some great vouchers, samples, treats and a Day Pass for Splash. 10% of all entry fees were donated to Operation Bobbi Bear and SPCA Amanzimtoti.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Henri Schoeman took honours in the individual race, as well as pipping the 1st team (Toti Lifeguards A) to the finish line. Bridget Theunissen took the ladies\u2019 title and came 3rd overall, just behind upcoming junior, Nathan Foster.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Commenting after the race, Schoeman said it was a tricky start on the surf but he soon made up ground in the biking section: \u201cExciting race and format in South Africa! I love this kind of racing and it\u2019s so good for the development of our juniors and triathlon.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Theunissen described the race as a \u2018great success, with more people coming out than we even anticipated!\u2019.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a quick race, spectator-friendly, and a really exciting day out for everyone! The sea was quite rough, so only those who were competent enough could swim on the day, with the alternative being to swim in the tidal pool which was a safer option for the younger competitors. The feedback was really positive and we\u2019re hoping that the Splash Tri Dash can be an annual feature on the sporting events calendar,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Race Director, Glen Gore, said he was delighted with the turnout and overall race experience: \u201cThe athletes gave us some positive feedback, and when an athlete the like of Henri Schoeman, who has raced all around the globe, tells you he had fun, that pretty much makes your day! Thanks to Team Theunissen and Jace Govender from the Beach Office for truly making this event happen. We\u2019re coming back in 2025 bigger and better for sure!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Also showing support on the day was the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation with local ambassadors Mhlengi Gwala and Terence Parkin competing in the event. Theunissen extended her thanks to the foundation, to Sapphire Coast Tourism, as well as all event sponsors, Spur, Edgars Clinique, Splash Waterworld in association with Raging Rapids Water Slides and the Thirsty Whale Sports and Cocktail Bar, Virgin Active, M-projects, Reclam, Sir Juice, We-Swim, 32gi, Aquelle, SAB, Andrew Jones, and Fitch and Leeds. She also thanked Glen Gore, the marshals, the Amanzimtoti Lifeguards, and Beach Management for availing their assistance on the day.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Romy Wenzel of Sapphire Coast Tourism said this was another great reflection of the region\u2019s event-hosting potential: \u201cWith our great climate, beautiful beaches, and welcoming communities, the Sapphire Coast remains a top events destination! A huge congratulations to all the event organisers and participants on a fantastic event, and we look forward to this becoming a regular feature.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

2024 Splash Tri Dash Men\u2019s Results<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Henri SCHOEMAN – 00:35:20<\/li>\n
  2. Nathan FOSTER – 00:37:23<\/li>\n
  3. Darryn PURTELL – 00:38:16<\/li>\n
  4. Oliver DELPORT – 00:40:56<\/li>\n
  5. Ernest PHUNGULA – 00:40:57<\/li>\n
  6. Philip THERON – 00:41:33<\/li>\n
  7. Travis HEWITT – 00:41:36<\/li>\n
  8. Scott CLEMMETT – 00:42:47<\/li>\n
  9. Nkosi MBATHA – 00:44:31<\/li>\n
  10. \u00a0 \u00a0Joshua CAMPBELL- 00:44:57<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

     <\/p>\n

    2024 Splash Tri Dash Women\u2019s Results<\/strong><\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Bridget THEUNISSEN – 00:38:02<\/li>\n
    2. Taylor FOSTER \u2013 00:43:28<\/li>\n
    3. Helen TAYLOR \u2013 00:43:37<\/li>\n
    4. Mikaela JONSSON – 00:47:20<\/li>\n
    5. Zee MKIZE – 00:48:05<\/li>\n
    6. Lara WATTS – 00:48:16<\/li>\n
    7. Alexis HEWITT – 00:49:23<\/li>\n
    8. Ava MOORE – 00:49:50<\/li>\n
    9. Abi MEINEKE – 00:50:17<\/li>\n
    10. \u00a0 \u00a0Georgia HEWITT – 00:52:44<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

       <\/p>\n

      For more information about the Sapphire Coast and its diverse tourism offerings, visit www.sapphirecoasttourism.co.za<\/a> or the Sapphire Coast Tourism<\/a> Facebook page.<\/p>\n

       <\/p>\n

      <\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      The inaugural Splash Tri Dash which took place at Amanzimtoti Main Beach on Sunday, 25 August, supported by Sapphire Coast Tourism, was a massive success, attracting hundreds of spectators and some of the country\u2019s top competitors. The titles were taken by two of the country\u2019s best triathletes; Henri Schoeman (32) the Olympic bronze medallist in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":58249,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"tdm_status":"","tdm_grid_status":"","fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[3435],"tags":[4415],"class_list":["post-58250","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-athletics","tag-olivia-jones-communications"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/southafricatoday.net\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/58250","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/southafricatoday.net\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/southafricatoday.net\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/southafricatoday.net\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/southafricatoday.net\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=58250"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/southafricatoday.net\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/58250\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/southafricatoday.net\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/58249"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/southafricatoday.net\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=58250"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/southafricatoday.net\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=58250"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/southafricatoday.net\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=58250"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}