Scottburgh Surf Lifesaving Club’s Tyne van Achterbergh shines in Australia
During the gruelling two-day event, in which 16 countries competed, Tyne also finished fourth in boards, eighth in the Ocean Man event, and 13th in the ski race while combining with his SA teammates to finish fourth in two relays.
Tyne van Achterbergh, a proud member of the Scottburgh Surf Lifesaving Club, recently returned from Australia, where he represented South Africa at the World Junior Surf Lifesaving Championships. He scooped a silver medal in the surf swim.
After getting through the heats relatively easily, Tyne swam one of the best races of his life when he split the highly-favoured Australian duo on the rostrum, finishing in second position.
During the gruelling two-day event, in which 16 countries competed, Tyne also finished fourth in boards, eighth in the Ocean Man event, and 13th in the ski race while combining with his SA teammates to finish fourth in two relays.
The facilities were, of course, top-class, and the standard of competition was way higher than anticipated, but Tyne benefitted tremendously from the experience.
“I am honoured to have represented my country and club at the world champs. Winning a silver medal in the surf swim was the highlight of my trip and has inspired me to train harder for future international events,” the young athlete said.
After representing his country, Tyne stayed to represent Scottburgh Surf Lifesaving Club at the three-day World Under-19 Club Lifesaving Championship. The competition was dominated by the Australian clubs.
In the surf swim, Tyne did well to make the final out of 130 competitors, finishing in a very credible 19th position (the first non-Australian in the field).
Meanwhile, the new 2024/25 lifesaving season has started, and Tyne gave his competition a taste of what he learned in Australia by winning the Ocean Man 2km swim in Durban.
