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Sandi & Nick

Swimming alongside Lewis Pugh on this year's Maldives swimming challenge will be two ambitious Investec Asset Management employees, Sandi Merwitz and Nick Marshall. Nick, who works within the Fixed Income team, is a veteran endurance swimmer, and has previously swam from Cape Town to Robben Island with Lewis, as well as forming part of the support team during the marathon swim down the Thames in 2006.

Sandi is an equities analyst and has never swum with Lewis before, although she has a long history of competitive swimming when at school. We caught up with them and asked the two of them what motivates two desk-based city workers to take part in Lewis's marathon challenge.

Name: Sandi Merwitz Age: 36 Position in Investec Asset Management: Consumer Analyst. Degree: Bachelor Commerce, WITS; Economic Honours, UNISA

Swimming History

1976-1988 I started having swimming lessons at the age of 5. I swam competitively in both primary and high school and was the captain of the swimming team in High School.

1. What motivates you to take part in endurance swims such as this?

I have never done an endurance swim before (apart from the 2-3km I swam in the Thames last year – does that count?) This would be my first ever endurance swim. I like challenges, love to exercise and love to swim. What makes this swim even more appealing is that it’s for such a great cause.

2. What was your first swimming experience OR your first competitive swimming experience (whichever is more memorable)
   My first competitive swimming experience was in primary school when I was 6. I participated in an interschool gala. I didn’t stop competing until I finished high school – I was 18.
   
3. What has been the highlight of your swimming career so far?
   I loved to compete in inter-school galas and of course winning always make you feel great but apart from the competition I spent a lot of time training and travelling with my fellow team members who became great friends.
   
4. What are you looking forward to most and least during the swim in the Maldives?
   I am looking forward to taking in the beautiful scenery of the Maldives and getting some sunshine. I am least looking forward to any unfriendly sea life.
   
5. How did you get to know Lewis?
   From the Thames event
   
6. What do you like to do when you’re not swimming?
   Go the gym, spin, meet up with friends and see movies

Name: Nicholas Marshall Age: 23 Position in Investec Asset Management: Project Assistant Degree: Bachelor Business Science (Actuarial Science), UCT

Swimming History

• 1997-2002 Provincial waterpolo player
• 2003 Completed 7.2km swim from Robben Island to Blouberg
• 2005 Team leader of the Starfish Swim for Hope - A 100km continuous relay swim from Kalk bay to the V&A Waterfront. The swim lasted 32 hours and involved swimming during both the day and the night
• 2006 Set record for 10.5km swim from Knysna yacht club to Brenton on Sea
• Support swimmer on Investec Thames Challenge – The first successful swim of the length of the River Thames

1. What motivates you to take part in endurance swims such as this? The people! Events of this nature are self selecting. You meet people who refuse to be defined as average. They are constantly seeking new frontiers and pushing the boundaries. The “nothing is impossible” attitude is contagious. While overcoming these demanding challenges you form friendships that will last a lifetime.
   
2. What was your first swimming experience OR your first competitive swimming experience (whichever is more memorable)
   I was 12 years old. It was my first ever waterpolo practice. We were made to swim a length of butterfly. I nearly drowned, swallowing half the pool in the process. I was immediately assigned to goalkeeper. That way I could hang on the goals to stay afloat. At that point never would I have dreamed that I would be preparing to swim the width of a country.
   
3. What has been the highlight of your swimming career so far?
   Swimming at 02:00 in the morning just off Hout Bay as part of the Starfish swim for Hope. It was pitch black - you could hardly see the support boat only 1m away. There was however phosphorescence in the water. With every stroke the disturbance to the water would cause the phosphorescence to glow yellow and create the illusion of swimming through a galaxy of stars.
   
4. What are you looking forward to most and least during the swim in the Maldives?
   Most: To doing something out of the ordinary with quality people and creating more unreal memories. Least: The heat of the water. The temperature is expected to be 28 degrees. Running in 28 degrees would be demanding. Water conducts four times as much as air. As a result trying to keep cool during the swim is likely to be more of a challenge than the actual distance of the swim.
   
5. How did you get to know Lewis?
   I met Lewis during a qualifying swim for Robben Island. He was reluctant to let me participate in the race as I am prone to hypothermia. At the time I perceived him to be quite difficult. With hindsight he was just being thorough and concerned for my safety. I started the race. With about 2km to go I had become badly hypothermic. There was a debate amongst the officials as to whether I was fit enough to continue. Lewis took the gutsy decision to let me carry on. I finished the race - just. The impact on my life from finishing that race has been marked. As a result I have tremendous respect for Lewis and feel honoured to be able to support him on this extraordinary swim across the Maldives.
   
6. What do you like to do when you’re not swimming?
   Spending time with friends and climbing mountains – The open space makes a welcome change from the claustrophobia of the water.