This month’s Swimmer Spotlight is one of our lovely members, Lauren.
It has been amazing to see her confidence and radiance growing both in and out the water over the years.
– Full name: Lauren Pitman
– DOB: 29 September 1995
– City and country of birth: Durban, South Africa
– Profession/purpose: Still trying to find it! Any suggestions would be appreciated
– When I started open water swimming: August 2024. Victor Hulme was my fertility doctor at the time, and when he asked what exercise I do, I said “light walking on the promenade (cringe)” and explained that I am a terrible sportsman who showed only vague promise in swimming at school. He described the open water swimming community and his eyes lit up. I desperately wanted the same experience for myself, especially because this handsome, chic doctor was prescribing it. So I signed my sister and I up to Maryse’s beginner class. As trite as it sounds, it has genuinely changed my life!
– Swim attire preference: Wetsuit, baby!!
– My most memorable swim: One of my first Clifton 4th swims where our lifeguard, Andile, had to carry me back to shore on his one-man board because I panicked like hell, god bless his soul. The best thing about hitting rock bottom is you can only go up from there. I slowly got worked through my panicky moments and I’m more confident in the water now😌
– What I like most about the swim group: It attracts the most genuine, unpretentious people. Unlike wanky Sea Point run clubs who care about PB’s and how hot you look in your Burnt activewear, you only meet genuine, salt-of-the-earth people at our swim group. How wonderful and unique is that?
– My swim motto: I don’t have a motto but I feel like the ethos of the group is “no one gets left behind”. Which is critical because the sea has no mercy but we have so many swimmers, all with varying abilities. Maryse has this knack for spotting the person who needs support that day and giving them that. And then teaching us to do the same for our teammates. It’s remarkable!🐋
Thank you for the witty sparkle you bring to the team, Lauren!
If you’d like to join her and others in our ocean adventures, we’d love to welcome you to the team.
