A pair of talented St Francis Bay sisters left the competition in their wake at the Great Britain Surf Lifesaving Championships, with one claiming the title of Iron Lady and the other placing on the podium in various categories.
Woodridge College & Preparatory School pupils Nicola Harcus, 16, and Jessica, 15, competed for England’s Branksome Chine Surf Lifesaving Club, the overall championship winner.
Their younger sister, Daniella, 13, competed in the early stages of the competition, but was unable to continue due to illness.
On the first day of the competition, Nicola, who competed in the U17 age group, was named double ski champion and won silver medals for surf swim and U19 ski relay and a bronze medal for single ski, and managed an admirable sixth place on the Malibu board.
Jessica competed in the U15 class and was named double ski champion and won silver medals for single ski, surf swim and U19 ski relay alongside Nicola.
“I went into it with no expectations and I had one of the best experiences,” Jessica said.
“I met many new competitors and learnt many different things about racing in a new country.
“Although the sea was flat, which is very different to SA conditions, it came with its own challenges.”
On day two, Nicola took the sought-after Iron Lady title, won a bronze medal in board relay and was named the U17 rescue tube champion.
Jessica was named the U15 rescue tube champion and won a bronze medal in the Iron Lady competition.
Iron Lady is the competition’s pinnacle title and is selected through a points tally across the various events and age groupings.
“It was awesome to get some exposure in different conditions and places,” Nicola said.
“A highlight was definitely the Oceanwoman event.
“The competition was tough and it was really good to race against different people and have no expectations.”
The girls’ father, Brandon Harcus, said they all shared a passion for sport, particularly lifesaving.
Harcus said the girls had joined the Branksome Chine Surf Lifesaving Club when the family was temporarily based in England in 2020.
“We lived in England for a year and returned to SA in 2021, when they joined the Woodridge Surf Lifesaving Club.
“During the year we spent there, they competed for the Branksome Chine Surf Lifesaving Club,” he said.
While she could compete in only two races, Daniella said it had felt good to compete in a different environment.
“Unfortunately, I was not feeling well and was only able to compete in two races.
“The competition was very different from those in SA, but it was awesome to race in a different environment.
“The competitors were all so kind and welcoming and I hope to race again next year,” she said.
The girls compete in lifesaving competitions for Woodridge College.
They recently competed in the Great Britain Champs.
Harcus said the girls had been swimming since they were young.
They took part in swimming competitions while they were still in Johannesburg and when they moved to Gqeberha in 2018, joined the Summerstrand Lifesaving Club before moving to St Francis.
“They picked up [lifesaving] as a hobby, but now it has become a passion.
“They have all been doing the same sports since they were young.
“They do swimming, lifesaving and previously they did triathlon,” he said.
The family stopped in Greece for a celebratory family holiday and will return to SA at the weekend.
The girls recently competed for the Eastern Cape at the interprovincial championship held in Cape Town, where the province bagged its first overall win in the juniors swim and surf competitions.
Woodridge College principal Derek Bradley said: “On behalf of the entire Woodridge community, we congratulate them on their excellent performance in this prestigious competition.”
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