Personal message

My name is Leigh de Necker, I am a marine biologist and endurance athlete, and I will be taking part in the Oceans 8 Charity swim to raise funds for the WILDTRUST. I love taking the opportunity to combine my love for marine life with my passion for endurance sport, which makes this the perfect challenge for me.

I currently work for WILDTRUST under their WILDOCEANS programme, where I am part of a fantastic team working to secure protection for threatened sharks and rays in South Africa. I am looking forward to challenging myself to swim 8 miles, to raise funds for an Organisation that is working tirelessly for marine conservation and advocating for healthy oceans, protected areas, and the preservation of marine species.

I plan to dedicate each of the 8 miles I’ll be swimming to 8 threatened, endangered, or endemic shark or ray species that occur in our wonderfully diverse South African waters. In the build-up to the swim, I aim to create awareness around these species, for people to learn more about them, understand why they’re important, and discuss the threats they face.

If you have a love for wildlife and marine conservation, please consider contributing. Every little bit helps.

Mile 1: Smooth hammerhead shark (Vulnerable)

Mile 2: Puffadder shyshark (Endemic to South Africa – Endangered)

Mile 3: Soupfin shark (Critically Endangered)

Mile 4: Giant guitarfish (Critically Endangered)

Mile 5: Ragged-tooth shark (Critically Endangered)

Mile 6: White shark (Vulnerable)

Mile 7: Leopard whipray (Vulnerable)

Mile 8: Pyjama shark (Endemic to southern Africa)

Bonus species: Broadnose sevengill shark (Vulnerable)

Donations