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Adopt A Swimmer
Professional coaches teaching underprivileged children to swim
Our MandateNo child should drown. All children must be given the opportunity to develop the essential life skill of swimming. |
Our DriveAll children, no matter their circumstances or limits, can overcome their fear of water. |
Our GoalTeaching every child to be water safe and in the process, tackling life with integrity. |
“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”
~ Helen Keller
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Sasfin Johannesburg and world renowned “The Green Surfer” and Ocean Child John McCarthy on board with Adopt a Swimmer |
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ADOPT A SWIMMER AFFILIATES |
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Swim South Africa ● Plett Nippers ● Clayton Surf School ● NSRI Station 14 Plett ● Sasfin Jhb |
Touch the life of a child in a tangible manner.
After a long 8 month wait for registration, Adopt a Swimmer was officially registered as a non profit on the 20th March 2013.
Eight days later we launched officially with a brilliantly supported Swimathon and the community truly showed how committed they are to developing swimming skills for children in our greater area.
As our first fund raiser it was a highly successful initiative, with young and old swimming their most laps possible in an hour, earning their donor funds collected.
“I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.”
~ Edward Everett Hale
How it works
- Louise Auersperg who runs Plett Aquatics Swimming, has seen year on year seen how nearly 80% of the youth in our community cannot swim. It became obvious that the reason is largely due to the costs of swimming lessons. Adopt a Swimmer will allow children of all backgrounds the opportunity to develop this essential life skill.
- The program calls for financial support, by companies and individuals, of a child through the process of acquiring this skill.
- The estimated time frame to teach a child to swim with confidence is 18-24 months.(there are exceptions)
- It doesn’t stop there; if a child shows inclination and promise we will mentor and sponsor them through to the next phase such as galas, Micro Nippers, Nippers, water polo, surfing, NSRI water wise programs, breath holding, Ocean Safari sea trips
NGO Registration number: 116-823 NPO – Registration Certificate
Your support of the Adopt a Swimmer program will touch the life of a child in a tangible manner;
giving them a life skill that will build confidence and a sense of real achievement.
We look forward to your participation!
Adopt a Swimmer, Garden Route - Swimming is the only sport that saves lives and it's fun!
How to Adopt a Swimmer
The Adopt a Swimmer Programme is currently operating in Plettenberg Bay –
a beautiful town on South Africa’s Garden Route.
Banking Details
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Bank: |
FNB |
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Account Name: |
Adopt A Swimmer |
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Account Number: |
62348610305 |
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Account Type: |
Business Cheque Account |
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Branch Code: |
210514 |
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Branch Name: |
Plettenberg Bay |
| Swift Code: | FIRNZAJJXXX |
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Payment Options: |
R5000 – 1 year |
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Method of Payment: |
Cash / EFT |
Thank you for supporting ADOPT A SWIMMER!
Please note that as we are a registered non-profit organisation a tax certificate will be issued to you or your company.
CEO: Louise Auersperg | louise@adoptaswimmer.co.za | Cell: 082 452 2248
Financial Advisor and Trustee: Francois Geldenhys–Bizrev | Cell: 082 820 5162
Secretary and Coach: Peter Auersperg | 082 410 6129
Adopt a Swimmer, Garden Route - Swimming is the only sport that saves lives and it's fun!
Louise Auersperg – Chairperson and Swim Coach
Cell Number: 082 452 2248
Email Address: louise@adoptaswimmer.co.za
Louise Auersperg has been actively involved with children for 30 years; youth camps, pastoral, counselling, teaching and child therapy.
As a teacher in Plettenberg Bay, she commenced teaching school swimming classes eventually taking on swimming coaching as a full time passion.
Louise’s passionate love of the outdoors has led to her many activities such as hiking, swimming, deep sea fishing, canoeing and many more. This includes a 3 days survival expiditon on a canoe.
In her capacity as a swimming coach of Plettenberg Bay Aquatics, and co-founder of the Adopt a Swimmer NGO – she has completed her L.T.S, level one coaching and is also trained in CPR and First Aid Level 1. She also has experience in trauma and hospice counselling.
– Swim SA Registration number: T/EPA/2013/0004511
– Swim SA ID number: 580801ILOUIAUER
– First Aid Level 1
– L.T.S
– Level 1 coaching
– CPR
– USA Certificate for Basic Pool Rescue and Adaptive Coaching
– Diploma for ACE (American Teaching curriculum)
Erica Menton – Member
Cell Number: 072 5388 185
Email Address: erica@adoptaswimmer.co.za
Erica Menton has been a swimming teacher for 26 years.
She is affiliated with Swimming South Africa and was notably a South African National Paralympics coach to the Beijing Para-Olympics 2008 with Natalie Du Toit on the team; a South African Coach to the Youth Games in India 2010, and has been the successful coach of many provincial and national swimmers.
Erica coaches 90% of the Provincial team of the South West District and has trained Level 3 (competitive) swimmers for the past decade.
Erica is running the Adopt a Swimmer program in George.
– Swim SA Registration number: T/EPA/2012-0004383
– Swim SA ID number: 610328FRANMENT
– First Aid
Francois Geldenhuys – Trustee
Cell Number: 0828205162
Email Address: francois@bizrev.co.za
Francois Geldenhuys is a General Practitioner of business administration. He knows that if you believe you can then you can and it is along these lines that he has indeed walked his own talk.
Having begun his working life at a very young age Francois has become adept and skilled at identifying and resolving the many ways by which a business succeeds and / or fails.
Francois is currently in a partnership that aims to be a mentorship institution and a healer to the various maladies of being in business. He believes that he has many of the answers necessary to resolve both small rural business woes as well as corporate city business troubles.
In believing that leadership is everything and that good leadership does create environments that contribute to business success, Francois aims to share his skills to uplift leaders and staff alike.
He, therefore, hopes to bless the business world with a revolutionary form of good business practice and etiquette that has a universal heartbeat and a wholesome pulse.
Peter Auersberg – Secretary and Swimming Coach
Cell Number: 082 410 6129
Email Address: peter@itcc.co.za
Peter attended Woodridge College. Being a lover of the water became a founder member of the Woodridge Surf Life Saving Club which patrols the famous Jeffery’s Bay beach.
At school he took part in the South African Junior Surf Life Saving competitions as well as swimming, and playing water polo for his School and province.
Peter was very involved with the street children in Johannesburg a project run by the Rhema Church. He has extensive experience in dealing with young, traumatised children.
Not only is he a qualified House Inspector, he is also a qualified Learn to Swim Instructor, heading up the senior swimming squad of Plett Aquatics.
Peter is also involved in the coaching of the Plett water polo and Plett Nippers and is the secretary for Nippers SWD, Eden district.
Many of the water polo players receiving provincial colours for water polo and gold medals for swimming and Life Saving.
Clayton Mark Bischoff – Member
Cell Number: 072 355 8387
Email Address: claymorekse@gmail.com
Clayton has been an active surf coach for 16 years and is both ISA and SSA certified, a member of the Eden Boardriders Association committee and actively involved in the development of junior surfing along the Garden Route.
After spending almost 7 years travelling around the world following his 2 passions, surfing and the culinary arts, Clayton returned to the Garden Route where he grew up, to settle down and eventually start “Learn to Surf Academy Plett” and “Surf Cafe” which both feature prominently on most people’s “to do lists” when visiting or staying in Plettenberg Bay.
Clayton’s love for surfing has meant that he passionately shares his knowledge with his students, inspiring in them not only a love for the ocean, but the knowledge, respect and the confidence necessary to enjoy what it has to offer.
Clayton and his team of instructors are very excited to be a part of the Adopt a Swimmer program – having always assisted with surfing open days when requested to now enrolling successful candidates in their Garden Route Surf Academy programme which offers surfing as an extra mural sport for local school children.
Adopt a Swimmer, Garden Route - Swimming is the only sport that saves lives and it's fun!
Latest News
What has Adopt a Swimmer been involved in around the community?
Galleries
Adopt A Swimmer in Action and Adopt a Swimmer Awards
2018 Sasfin Adopt a Swimmer Surf Workshop with John McCarthy
Ocean Safaris Trips
These photos are from trips sponsored by Ocean Safaris. Adopt a Swimmer would like to thank Marion and Asheville for blessing our kids. It was a dream come true for them. They asked if they were going overseas – My reply of course was “Where would you like to go?” Some were quick to answer “England Aunty Louise”.
Sasfin and Ocean Child / Clayton Surf School
NSRI – Educational Water Wise
Rural Splash
Still Waters for the Soul – Fundraiser for Adopt a Swimmer (Held at the Grand Cafe)
Adopt a Swimmer, Garden Route - Swimming is the only sport that saves lives and it's fun!
Testimonial by the Born in Africa Organisation
“The children in Born in Africa would like to thank Adopt a Swimmer for helping them to build on their swimming skills and gain even greater confidence in the water. The expertise of the Adopt a Swimmer team has afforded them the opportunity to receive specialised attention which they would otherwise not have had. The learners love the lessons and testimony to this is their continued attendance. The program ensures not only the safety of these learners but also builds on their self-confidence. Thank you Adopt a Swimmer for all your efforts!”
Karien Malan
Born in Africa
May 2014
Alexander Auersperg Grade 7 Plett Primary student raises R2000 for Adopt a Swimmer
Local scholar Alexander Auersperg recently participated in the annual Beacon Isle Mile Open Water Swim in aid of the Adopt a Swimmer organisation.
Alexander swam the full 1.2 km race during the Plett Easter Games and came in second in the u/14 age group.
Alexander donated 90% of the funds he raised to the Adopt a Swimmer NGO and gave 10% back to his school in thanks for their support.
On behalf of the Plett community we thank you, Alexander, for using your swimming talents to raise finds for those less privileged.
Your funds have enabled us to welcome more children to the Adopt a Swimmer Learn to Swim Programme. We applaud you!
Thanks
- A special thanks to Plett Primary Principle Mr Bester, parents, learners and the governing body of Plett Primary for their support.
- Thank you Glen Murray for the wonderful photos
Adopt a Swimmer, Garden Route - Swimming is the only sport that saves lives and it's fun!
Without our sponsors we would be nothing. Without our sponsors we would not have little feet in the pool.
Without our sponsors we would not have children growing in an essential life skill.
Without our sponsors we would not see joy or experience smiles.
Without our sponsors we would not be teaching our disadvantaged children to swim.
ShowMe Plettenberg Bay
We’d like to express our sincere thanks to the Plettenberg Bay branch of the multi-national Online Media Franchise.
ShowMe Plett supports us with local media coverage and sponsors our website and the marketing thereof.
Website: www.showme.co.za/plett
Email: info@showme.co.za
Paint & Place Home Decor
Shop 1 Piesang Valley Rd, Plettenberg Bay
M: +27 82 411 2578
T: +27 44 533 3386
F: +27 44 533 3014
Plett Medicine Depot
12 Atmar Centre, High Street, Plettenberg Bay 6600
T: 044 533 2278
F: 044 533 0710
Hunter Hotels
P.O. Box 454, Plettenberg Bay, 6600, South Africa
The Gallery, Upperdeck Centre, Marine Drive
Plettenberg Bay, 6600, South Africa
T: +27 (0) 44 501 1111
F: +27 ((0) 44 501 1100
Mitchells Brewery
3 Arend Str Knysna Industrial
P.O Box 1220 Knysna 6570
T: 044 382 4685
F: 044 382 5818
E: info@mitchellsbrewery.com
Mosdell, Pama & Cox
6 High Street, Plettenberg Bay, South Africa, 6600
PO Box 2180, Plettenberg Bay, 6600
T: +27 044 5331101
F: +27 044 5331115
E: ppama@mpc.law.za
Summer Sands – Swimwear and Beachwear
Physical Address:
Shop 4 Milkwood Ctr
Hopwood St
Plettenberg Bay
6600
Postal Address:
PO Box 239
Plettenberg Bay
6600
Phone: 044 533 2584
Email: smithy@global.co.za
Hog Hollow
Askop Road, The Crags, Plettenberg Bay
Tel & Fax: +27 (44) 5348879
P.O. Box 503 Plettenberg Bay 6600, South Africa
Email: info@hog-hollow.com
Nature Sport
Upperdeck Building
Corner of Marine and Main Street
Plettenberg Bay
South Africa
T: 078 877 6618
F: 086 649 9031
Email: info@naturesportco.com
Bitou Municipality
Physical Address:
Municipal Buildings
1 Sewell Street,
Plettenberg Bay
6600
Postal Address:
Private Bag X1002
Plettenberg Bay
6600
Telephone (Office Hours): 044 501 3000
24-hour number: 086 124 8686
Fax: 044 533 6198
The Business Revolution
Physical Address:
The Boat Shed
Thesen Harbour Town
6571 Knysna
Western Cape
Email: francois@bizrev.co.za
Phone: 082 441 1164
Website:www.bizrev.co.za
The Grand
Physical Address:
27 Main Road
Plettenberg Bay
Garden Route
South Africa
6600
Tel: (0)44 533 3301
Fax: 086 606 9454
Email: plettconcierge@grandafrica.com
Website: www.grandafrica.com
Glenn Murray Photography
Physical Address:
Fairview Farm
Plettenberg Bay
Western Cape
Tel: 082 848 1703
Email: info@gmurrayphoto.co.za
Website: www.gmurrayphoto.co.za
Plett Tourism
Physical Address:
Melville’s Corner
Main Street
Plettenberg Bay
Tel: 044 533 4065
Email: info@pletttourism.com
Website: www.plett-tourism.co.za
Sasfin
Physical Address:
29 Scott Street
Waverley,
Johannesburg
Tel: 011 809 7500
Email: info@sasfin.com
Website: www.sasfin.com
Ocean Safaris
Physical Address:
Adventure Hut,
Central Beach,
Plettenberg Bay
Tel: 082 784 5729
Email: book@oceansafaris.co.za
Website: www.oceansafaris.co.za
CemAir
Physical Address:
Hangar 6, Eastern Precinct,
OR Tambo International Airport,
Bonaero Park
Tel: 011 393 8995
Email: info@cemair.co.za
Website: www.cemair.co.za
NSRI Plett Station 14
Physical Address:
Central Beach, Plettenberg Bay,
Western Cape
Tel: 082 990 5975
Email: station14@searescue.co.za
Plett Surf Nippers
Physical Address:
Central Beach – Plettenberg Bay
Tel: 083 304 5087
Email: plettsurfclub@gmail.com
Website: www.plettsurf.org.za
Learn To Surf Academy Plett
Tel: 082 436 6410
Facebook: www.facebook.com/surfplett
Website: www.facebook.com/surfplett
Adopt a Swimmer, Garden Route - Swimming is the only sport that saves lives and it's fun!
Physical Address: Gym & Pool - Health & Fitness Centre, Greenpoint Ave, Piesang River Valley, Plettenberg Bay
Postal Address: Gym & Pool - Health & Fitness Centre, Greenpoint Ave, Piesang River Valley, Plettenberg Bay
Postal Code: 6600
Telephone: +27(0)82 452 2248
Mobile: +27(0)82 410 6129
Email: info@adoptaswimmer.co.za
Website: http://www.adoptaswimmer.co.za
Directions: Coming from Knysna on the N2: Turn right into Piesang Valley road, go down the hill and turn right into Robberg Road. First street right again into Greenpoint Avenue. The Gym an Pool will be at the end of the road.
Coming from PE on the N2: Turn left into Piesang Valley road and follow direction as above.
Latitude: -34.056855
Longitude: 23.371954
