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2
 mins read

A bit of special news

published
February 24, 2023
location
SOUTH AFRICA
discipline
Freediving

A bit of special news

A bit of special news

published
February 24, 2023
location
SOUTH AFRICA
discipline
Freediving
2
 mins read
WORDS
Corinna Halloran
PHOTOS
Craig Kolesky

Is there anything better than seeing lives change through the waves of the ocean? Zandile “Zandi” Ndhlovu story is one such story, and it is a great honor to share the news that Zandile has become an 11th Hour Racing ambassador.

‍

Zandi joins the 12-strong cohort of 11th Hour Racing’s ambassadors – a community of athletes and creators who act as change makers and use their influence to rally fans and peers to act for the ocean. Each ambassador has the opportunity to work on an ocean restoration project with an organization of their choice, supported by 11th Hour Racing.

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Zandi Ndhlovu
“I looked beneath the surface, and my mind was just blown. I held my breath, and I felt this feeling I’d never felt before, a sense of being home – I had finally arrived.”

Zandi’s story is quite unique. It begins in the land-locked township of Soweto, and she didn't discover the joy of freediving until she traveled to Bali in 2016. Upon her return home, she vowed to make the ocean more accessible to Black people in South Africa. Today, she is one of the country's most impactful freedivers and is recognized among the Global Top 100 Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) Under 40.

‍

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Listen to Jack ...

Ndhlovu aims to change Africa’s narrative about who belongs in the ocean and to diversify representation in ocean-facing careers, sports, and recreation. Her dream of eradicating the fear of deep waters by exposing kids to the ocean became a reality when she founded The Black Mermaid Foundation to create a space where fear expands into love.

Zandi Ndhlovu
“I believe in the collective’s ability to bring change, I believe in partnership. We're all working to protect our oceans. 11th Hour Racing does incredible work to protect our oceans; to join this fold is to be seen and to be partnered in all the ways that matter.”
Zandi annoucement carousel 2

As an ocean conservationist, and diversity and inclusion specialist, Ndhlovu is helping Black people find comfort in the world beneath the water’s surface – to feel as at home as she did when she first experienced life underwater, where creatures coexist without borders, race, or gender.

Alessandra Ghezzi
“We are incredibly grateful for Zandi’s work, which has the potential to reverse years of fear and stereotypes around access to water. Working with Zandi is a real honor.”

As an ocean conservationist, and diversity and inclusion specialist, Ndhlovu is helping Black people find comfort in the world beneath the water’s surface – to feel as at home as she did when she first experienced life underwater, where creatures coexist without borders, race, or gender.

As an ocean conservationist, and diversity and inclusion specialist, Ndhlovu is helping Black people find comfort in the world beneath the water’s surface – to feel as at home as she did when she first experienced life underwater, where creatures coexist without borders, race, or gender.

Her deep connection to water, coupled with a shared vision of a healthy ocean, is part of the reason that led 11th Hour Racing to South Africa in 2022 to collaborate with Zandi for the production of our Shaped By Water Film.

‍

Shaped By Water Film will premiere in May 2023 in Newport, Rhode Island, in conjunction with The Ocean Race’s only U.S. stopover – more information will be available soon on the film’s digital hub, where you can sign up to receive updates.

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11th Hour Racing is part of the family of philanthropic organizations and initiatives started by Eric and Wendy Schmidt to make the world a better place for everyone. The Schmidt Family Foundation supports a number of organizations in Cape Town and Johannesburg that work on issues ranging from sustainable fisheries and agroecology to community organizing for clean energy access and human rights.

‍

QUESTIONS
Corinna Halloran
ANSWERS
Craig Kolesky

Is there anything better than seeing lives change through the waves of the ocean? Zandile “Zandi” Ndhlovu story is one such story, and it is a great honor to share the news that Zandile has become an 11th Hour Racing ambassador.

‍

Zandi joins the 12-strong cohort of 11th Hour Racing’s ambassadors – a community of athletes and creators who act as change makers and use their influence to rally fans and peers to act for the ocean. Each ambassador has the opportunity to work on an ocean restoration project with an organization of their choice, supported by 11th Hour Racing.

Keep exploring ...
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8.17.2022
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No items found.
Keep exploring ...
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11.10.2023
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Listen to Jack ...

Zandi’s story is quite unique. It begins in the land-locked township of Soweto, and she didn't discover the joy of freediving until she traveled to Bali in 2016. Upon her return home, she vowed to make the ocean more accessible to Black people in South Africa. Today, she is one of the country's most impactful freedivers and is recognized among the Global Top 100 Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) Under 40.

‍

Zandi Ndhlovu
“I looked beneath the surface, and my mind was just blown. I held my breath, and I felt this feeling I’d never felt before, a sense of being home – I had finally arrived.”

Ndhlovu aims to change Africa’s narrative about who belongs in the ocean and to diversify representation in ocean-facing careers, sports, and recreation. Her dream of eradicating the fear of deep waters by exposing kids to the ocean became a reality when she founded The Black Mermaid Foundation to create a space where fear expands into love.

No items found.

As an ocean conservationist, and diversity and inclusion specialist, Ndhlovu is helping Black people find comfort in the world beneath the water’s surface – to feel as at home as she did when she first experienced life underwater, where creatures coexist without borders, race, or gender.

Zandi Ndhlovu
“I believe in the collective’s ability to bring change, I believe in partnership. We're all working to protect our oceans. 11th Hour Racing does incredible work to protect our oceans; to join this fold is to be seen and to be partnered in all the ways that matter.”

Her deep connection to water, coupled with a shared vision of a healthy ocean, is part of the reason that led 11th Hour Racing to South Africa in 2022 to collaborate with Zandi for the production of our Shaped By Water Film.

‍

Shaped By Water Film will premiere in May 2023 in Newport, Rhode Island, in conjunction with The Ocean Race’s only U.S. stopover – more information will be available soon on the film’s digital hub, where you can sign up to receive updates.

No items found.

11th Hour Racing is part of the family of philanthropic organizations and initiatives started by Eric and Wendy Schmidt to make the world a better place for everyone. The Schmidt Family Foundation supports a number of organizations in Cape Town and Johannesburg that work on issues ranging from sustainable fisheries and agroecology to community organizing for clean energy access and human rights.

‍

Alessandra Ghezzi
“We are incredibly grateful for Zandi’s work, which has the potential to reverse years of fear and stereotypes around access to water. Working with Zandi is a real honor.”
No items found.

Is there anything better than seeing lives change through the waves of the ocean? Zandile “Zandi” Ndhlovu story is one such story, and it is a great honor to share the news that Zandile has become an 11th Hour Racing ambassador.

‍

Zandi joins the 12-strong cohort of 11th Hour Racing’s ambassadors – a community of athletes and creators who act as change makers and use their influence to rally fans and peers to act for the ocean. Each ambassador has the opportunity to work on an ocean restoration project with an organization of their choice, supported by 11th Hour Racing.

No items found.
Previously unseen
ABOUT THE PROJECT

To highlight the connection between water and sports, we’ve brought together an internationally renowned freediver, a world champion freeskier, and professional offshore sailing team. Like water, these athletes move in unison with their mind, body, and the present moment. Together, these athletes bring to life their fullest expressions– like water, they flow.

ABOUT THE TEAM

We chose athletes who are not only the best at what they do but also align with 11th Hour Racing’s mission to protect and restore the ocean. We hired local storytelling teams who are also some of the best in the world. Each part of the production was carefully considered to come together as one holistic story.

Behind the Scenes

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