The Longhair and I were up at 4:00 am on Sunday morning in preparation to accompany Morven Maclean out to the start of the Specsavers Ironman swim (give his guest house, Barnacle Bed and Breakfast, a bash). Morven formed part of the large volunteer force providing support for the almost 1 800 swimmers for the first leg of the 2012 Specsavers Ironman.
We gathered at the harbour and waited for the rain to abate before motoring out at 6:30 am – two 140 horsepower motors ensured that we were at the start line in record time.
The professionals started their swim at 6:50 followed by the amateurs at 7:00 – what a sight it was as they churned the water like gannets diving – all trying to get a goodly distance in before the wind got up. On the second leg (swimmers complete two rounds of the course with a run up and down the beach in between) the wind decided to make it’s presence known and we watched as some swimmers agonisingly ploughed the water, making centimetres of progress for every few swim strokes.
In amongst the swimming masses was a yellow canoe, inside was young Nicholas Garwood, a cerebral palsy sufferer being pulled by his Father, Kevin Garwood in a show of love and solidarity that has few equals. Accompanying them was Richard van Wildemann on a Malibu board to protect and assist Nicholas should the need arise.
Nicholas and Kevin were there to take on the full distance Ironman for the first time.
A harness around Kevin, hooked to the nose of the canoe was their lifeline connection. Every now and then one could see young Nicholas’ arm raised as he encouraged his Father on with his swim of love.
The cut off time for the swim was 9:20 am and the countdown on the beach began with 20 minutes to go. At that stage Kevin and Nicholas were approaching the last large mark of the course prior to making the run to Hobie beach, through the surf to the finish point. Morven manoeuvred us as close to the beach as possible to watch the unfolding drama. With less than 10 minutes to go they were halfway to the surf line and one could see Nichols urging his Father on. Digging deep Kevin stepped up the pace to make it with minutes to spare. A quick moment of love and concern between the two and Kevin raced off to beat the cut off time whilst volunteers wrapped Nicholas in a space blanket to warm him up.
Due to the wind, Kevin elected not to have Nicholas accompany him on the cycle leg, though.
I still choke up when I think of that amazing moment – I have a photograph of the two looking at each other and one can see the understanding and love pass (it is a bit blurry though).
Team Garwood was born after Kevin received a video clip from his pastor’s wife that would change his life forever. It was a clip called ‘My Redeemer Lives’ and it showed an American father, Dick Hoyt, participating in an Ironman event with his disabled son, Rick, who has cerebral palsy caused by loss of oxygen to his brain at birth. “I burst into tears when I saw it. As a father one of my biggest dreams was to one day be there for my son and support him in sporting events. I could never do that. Over the years I almost took on my son’s disability and limited my own physical abilities. When I saw this video I realised there was a way to compete with my son.”
Alan Straton
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Full marks to @Rvonwildemann for assisting Team Garwood – Images here: http://mype.co.za/new/2012/04/my-ironman-lump-in-the-throat-moment/
Hi Alan, Richard was amazing on the swim with us, we could not have found a better voluteer to help us. During the swim he was dashing off to help others in need. The acuracy of the last bit of the swim is 100% correct. On the second lap I was very concerned for Nicholas and was ready to quit and pull him out. Th NSRI crafts pulled closer to help us but Nicholas said, “Dad, I want to do the run”, which Richard communicated to me. That was it. I had to finish. Paul Wolff had told us before that we should not cycle together because of the expected conditions, so Nicholas knew that he was not going to cycle.
At the point were your story kicks in I know Richard asked me how much time do I have left and after quickly checking I knew that I had little time to coplete the swim. There was no way that I was going to mis the cut off and so I put in a huge effort to make it in time. I just pictured Nicholas’ face and his words, “Dad, I want to do the run”, and dug deep and swam with that purpose in mind and made the cut off with a few minutes to spare.
I was “blown away” with the support that I received from all.
Thanks Kevin – you and Nicholas are an inspiration to all. You would not believe how many people have told me that your story on MyPE has brought them to tears – of joy.
We were right alongside you on that final stretch to the beach and I could see the determination on your face through my viewfinder as Nicholas raised his arm in encouragement.
You two helped many parents and children to go home and appreciate each other more.
See you next year in the Friendly City.
Would you like me to send you the images that I have?
It would be great if you could send the images. Maybe next year we can get to meet.
That has to be one of the most awesome, inspiring events to witness.
An emailed comment: Thanks for making me bawl on this icy Tuesday morning. All I can say is I hope I’m half as great a parent as this guy is (one day!!!).
One more email: Alan, I have just read your post, the Garwoods stay with us each year for the Ironman, they have so much love for each other, it has us weeping each year! Such a pity about the crappy weather this year, watch out for them next year, they will be back, they have already booked with us!
KathyDempseys
Now that’s what should be known as the Ironman…. Not only did dad Garwood stay the course, but he did it whilst supporting another person, his son, at the same time. As a parent myself, I take my hat off to you …. It takes nerves of steel to raise a child and even more so if that child is a special needs child, but you are a true Ironman to have completed this challenge, doing it with your son…. Well Done!
What a wonderful thing father and son achieved by taking part together. I was one of the volunteers this year at the waterpoint at the Indoor Sport Centre at NMMU and we saw them come past us on the run leg. I am relieved to read that Nicholas was not taken along on the wind-blasted 180km cycle leg, though, because to be very honest, I was silently wondering at what point one should draw the line. I did not know at that point that Kevin had elected not to tow Nicholas on the bike, though. I also saw one of the race referees very tactfully check in on Nicholas at our waterpoint before motioning them to continue, as the rain was plummeting down at that stage.
So to both father and son, well done to you for taking on this immense challenge in the most horrid of weather conditions. But well done, on keeping cautious and electing to keep Nicholas out of that howling wind on the bike. If you do decide to try for another Ironman together, here is hoping that the weather gods smile on you and give you a 100% perfect PE day in which to try again sometime in the future. Bless you!
Literally am tearing up reading this – thanks for sharing Richie…what an awesome moment to have witnessed!