Fortitude in the face of tragedy...

• Published date: 17 April 2024
• Author: Carolyn Frost
• Publication title: Bolander

Last week I headed over to the sun-splashed garden at Annie’s Flowers, at 55 Dummer Road in Somerset West, to meet the lovely and enthusiastic Annie – grandmother to Kayla and Daniel, who shared about the family’s grief at this unimaginable loss, but also the fortitude and determination that has blossomed, so to speak, regarding Kayla’s embracing of national and international competing (she and her brother used to train and exercise together)

Annie, who has tasked herself with raising funds towards the R60 000 needed for this trip to Italy, not only does flower arrangements and exquisite posies of all sizes, but also makes quilts of all shapes and sizes, and is available to help people with their gardening – and has been living here for 40 years, rooted in her love of plants and all things floral.

It was also an opportunity to chat to Kayla, who is turning 19 soon, and is currently studying a three-year Sports Science degree at Stellenbosch University, having gone to Parel Vallei High School.

“I was always into sports, and did cross-country, and while at De Hoop Primary School, played hockey and netball. Last year I started cycling (mountain biking), and gym and weight training, which I love,” said Kayla.

She explained the difference between Sprint Triathlon (750m swim, 20km cycling, 5km run) versus Standard Triathlon (1.2km swim, 30km cycle, 10 run), and the Half Iron Man (1.9km swim, 90km cycle, 21.1km run), and participates in all of them.

Last week she was racing in Port Elizabeth, and when I asked whether they use swimming pools, told me they swim in the ocean no matter what the conditions, as there is support with rubber ducks for backup.

“In preparation for the Half-Iron Man, I did a few races... three triathlons, of which the second one was Xterra, and...