Road to Egypt - Africa Para Triathlon Champs

Visually impaired triathletes Gavin Kilpatrick and Heinrich Vermaak have teamed up with triathlon guides David Tayler and Jefferson Murdoch to make their mark in para-triathlon history.

This South African team of four recently won gold and silver at the South African Para-Triathlon Championships. Now they have been invited to compete at African Para-Championships in Egypt in October 2023. https://www.triathlon.org/events/event/2023_africa_triathlon_championships_sharm_el_sheikh

They are raising funds to allow them to represent South Africa. The team needs funds for travel, logistics and accommodation.

Para-triathlon (specifically for disabled athletes) is still a relatively niche sport in South Africa given its multidisciplinary nature (swim, cycle, run). However, Gavin Kilpatrick and Heinrich Vermaak are becoming pioneers in the sport. Both athletes suffer from SMD – Stargardt Macular Dystrophy [https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-is-stargardt-disease] which is an incurable, degenerative genetic condition that affects central vision in the eyes.

Gavin and Heinrich have committed that 10% of all funds raised will be set aside to support visually impaired para-triathletes in South Africa (para-triathlete assistance fund).