On Friday we recognised our valuable sponsors who had generously supported WCC 2026. Each sponsor was recognised with a personalised certificate to acknowledge their specific contributions. Unfortunately several sponsors could not attend but were with us in spirit. 🏊‍♂️

Spiro Mitchell (Director Fundraising Events) has led the WCC 2026 team with precision, building trust with our partners, inspiring and building the confidence of the team throughout the six month planning period. His salute to all sponsors and supporters is copied below for the information of crew and the whole Rotary family, as it blends together all the positive planning and outcomes of this event.

“Today we celebrate the success of the Waterfront Canal Challenge 2026, we do so under a theme that perfectly captures what this event represents — Turning Tides Into Tomorrow.

What began as a simple swimming event on the canals of Cape Town has become something far greater. It has become a platform for connection, collaboration, community impact, and hope.

This event reminds us that sport is not only about competition — it is about bringing people together across sectors, cultures, generations, and communities. It reflects the spirit of the United Nations Sport for Development and Peace movement, recognising the power of sport to build inclusion, opportunity, well-being, and social cohesion. None of this would have been possible without partnership.

To our major sponsors and in-kind partners – thank you. Thank you to the corporates, small and medium enterprises, entrepreneurs, and local businesses
who chose not only to sponsor an event, but to invest in people, possibilities, and the future of Cape Town.

At a time when many organisations are under pressure, you still stepped forward. You contributed financially, donated prizes and experiences, supported logistics, amplified awareness, and helped create a memorable experience for participants and spectators alike.

Cape Town is often described as one of the most beautiful cities in the world — but this morning we are reminded that its true strength lies in its people and in the partnerships that drive meaningful change.

The Rotary Club of Waterfront sees itself not simply as an organiser of events, but as a connector and collaborator — bringing together business, civil society, community leaders, and changemakers to drive both social and economic impact.

Ourvalue proposition to partners is simple – together we can create platforms that are visible, meaningful, community-driven, and sustainable — while building stronger relationships between business and society. 

What has been especially encouraging is seeing how the Waterfront Canal Challenge is being spoken about beyond the event itself. Across tourism platforms, event listings, and community media.  The Waterfront Canal Challenge is being recognised as Africa’s only urban timed canal swim — a uniquely Cape Town experience that combines sport, wellness, tourism, and social impact. Organisations and platforms linked to the V&A Waterfront and Cape Town’s tourism ecosystem have highlighted the event as a powerful example of purpose-driven collaboration and community engagement.

People are not only talking about the swim itself, but about what it represents — a city coming together through sport, business, and community partnerships to create meaningful impact. The phrase Turning Tides Into Tomorrow has resonated strongly because it speaks to progress, hope, and collective action.

The event has also been recognised for creating an inclusive and energetic atmosphere where firsttime swimmers, elite athletes, corporates, families, and community organisations can participate side by side — proving that sport can truly become a platform for unity and development. Because lasting change does not happen in isolation. It happens when organisations choose collaboration over competition. When businesses recognise their role in community wellbeing. When people unite around a shared purpose.

To our operational partners — thank you for helping us turn vision into reality. To Webtickets, Big Bag Events, and Simbua Technologies — thank you for your professionalism, support, and commitment behind the scenes. Events of this scale are never achieved by one organisation alone.

And finally, to the incredible Rotary Club of Waterfront crew who worked tirelessly from planning through to execution: Mymoena Ismail, June Webber, Nadene Rolston, Michelle Whitehead, Kim Botti, Debby Daniel, Pieter Swart, and Andre du Toit — thank you for your energy, dedication, creativity, and countless hours of work. This event carries your fingerprints everywhere. As Fundraising Director of the RCW, I extend sincere appreciation to every partner, sponsor,volunteer, and supporter who helped make this event possible.

As we close, we do so with gratitude — but also with ambition. The tides are turning, and the opportunity ahead is even greater. We invite more businesses, partners, institutions, and community leaders to join us in 2027 as we continue building an event — and a movement — that creates impact far beyond the water.”

Together, we can continue Turning Tides into Tomorrow..

🌟Captain Derek congratulated and thanked Spiro for his exceptional commitment and dedication to ensure that the event ran without a hitch. Spiro was spontaneously, unanimously applauded for this achievement by all present.🌟

“There are good ships and wood ships, ships that sail the sea, but the best ships are friendships, and may they always be”🧭

All the sponsors received gifts of appreciation👏👏👏 Above: Michelle Weber – our remarkable and super special Waterfront Canal Ambassador since day one. photographed here with Lyndon Marescia of Adinga, with whom RCW has developed a strong corporate partnership over the years.