Exploring the Overberg: South Africa’s Coas...
Stretching from the dramatic peaks of the Kogelberg to the windswept shores of Walker Bay Nature Reserve.
As the sun rose on the 26th of January 2018, there was a sense of giddy anticipation in the early morning air that blended in with the sweet scent of dew. Students, teachers and supporters gathered at Laerskool Gansbaai for a day which promised to be jam-packed with athletic track and field events. As the crowds of people rolled in by the bakkie-load, excitement grew by the second! The teams stepped up in front of the spectators with their hearts beating proudly in their chests, kicking off the activities with a lighthearted and entertaining display of team spirit. The Emoji Team and the Navy Seals both had something to prove with their powerful parades and enthusiastic singing.
Once the spirit segment of the morning was done and dusted, the reason everyone had came for had finally arrived. Young athletes of all ages competed against each other, ranging from the smallest and cutest little ones in pre-primary, to the older and more mature grade seven’s. Track events included 100m, 200m, 1,300m, 1,500m sprints and of course everybody’s favourite, the relay race. Field events included long jump, high jump and the ever popular shot put kept the crowds mesmerized for the rest of the day. The pride and joy radiating from the competitors and their supporters was heartfelt and nothing short of inspiring. Laerskool Gansbaai’s sports stars of the future gave it their all, with some races ending in a nail-biting finish. The parents followed their example, showing what they could do in a 80m dash followed by a legendary relay race which will be the talk of the town for most of this years braai season.
Xplorio, Gansbaai’s official town website was represented by a group of their employees who took the day off work to join in the fun and games while promoting the power of community. Being timekeepers at the event, each of us knew the day would be a thriller, but not quite to the extent that it was. Many a time we crouched so low that our faces nearly brushed the lush grass and powdery chalk. We needed to stop those clocks at just the precise moment to make sure we gave the athletes the best possible chance to break the current records. The students won more than just races and events, they won our hearts. With their commitment to the event, respect shown to their teachers and the event organizers by being dressed proudly in professional athletics gear right down to their high jump spikes and track shoes, they showed what it meant to be sports stars of the future. Laerskool Gansbaai’s athletics day was full of captivating moments and genuinely amazing surprises, which will stay with us for as long as we can remember.
