The Salty Ducks, an informal swim group, will brave the cold waters of 10 tidal pools along the False Bay coastline on Saturday December 7, for the third consecutive year, to raise funds for a charity.

Proceeds from this year’s challenge will support The Safe House, a shelter for abused women and children.

Salty Duck member Kay Williams said the public could support the cause by donating at least R50 and spreading the word or by donating and participating.

The group aims to raise R30 000 this year. At the time of going to print, it had raised R3 300 through its givengain page.

“There will be lots of laughter and fun along the way, but our main goal is to raise as much money as we can for this awesome initiative,” she said.

The challenge will take place from 5am to 1pm, and each participant must enter the water for a quick dip, which is required to “tick the box” for the challenge.

The starting point is at 5am at the St James tidal pool. From there, participants will move to Dalebrook and The Brass Bell A and B tidal pools followed by a quick coffee break.

From there, the group will make its way to Woolley’s, Skellie, Glencairn, and Shelly tidal pools, followed by a coffee break at Long Beach in Simon’s Town.

The group will then proceed to Miller’s Point, Buffels Bay, and Bordjiesrif tidal pools where they will celebrate the end of the challenge with lunch and refreshments at a restaurant.

In November 2022, the group raised R10 000 for CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation by changing from ducks to cows as they fund-raised under CHOC’s official fund-raising arm, the Cows, which is a group of people that use popular sporting events to raise funds exclusively for CHOC (“Ducks take a dip to turn the tide against cancer,” Echo, November 24, 2022).

Last year, the group raised R20 000 for ARKYS Outreach: Project Neptune which teaches children how to swim as well as how to treasure their environment and heritage (“Salty Ducks make a splash for a good cause,” Echo December 1, 2023).

The executive director of The Safe House, Kathy Cronje, said she was grateful to the Salty Ducks for nominating The Safe House as a beneficiary this year.

“As times are hard and many people have stopped donating, we are encouraging as many people as possible to join or just donate money to the cause,” she said.

For more information about the challenge, email raftofsaltyducks@gmail.com or visit their Facebook page.

A group photo of the Salty Ducks in 2022 when they fund-raised under CHOC’s official fund-raising arm, the Cows.

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