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At 12, Nikki Mocke hid her PE kit so she wouldn't have to do sport. After her first Nippers session she went home and told her mum she had asthma. In 2004, racing for Fish Hoek in Viareggio, she won the world interclub surf ski title. Twenty-two years on, no other South African paddler, male or female, has done it. We go back through six international campaigns from Perth 1999 to Italy 2004, a Tri-Nations on her home beach, a K4 at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, 25 and a half hours paddling from Cuba to Key West, and what she wants this year's athletes and parents to know before Worlds. This year Nikki goes to Worlds as Fish Hoek's coaching director, a masters athlete and a mum. Road to Worlds is a seven-part series from The Rip, counting down to the Lifesaving World Championships in South Africa from 29 November 2026. New episodes every Friday. Hosted by Christina Mallion. Brought to you by Get On! (@get_on_media).

Welcome back to The Rip, your go-to channel for a deep dive into lifesaving sport across South Africa and beyond. The 2025 Rescue Sport Series has officially begun — and Episode 15 is packed with pool racing, surf action, athlete interviews, Rippers & Dippers, analysis, results, and plenty of our best banter. In this episode we break down: UWC Pool #1 highlights Strand Pool #2 battles Clifton Surf #1 match-ups Four athlete interviews: Kendra du Toit, Nicola Harcus , Tyler Ernstzen, and Zack Waters Rippers & Dippers from ISRC, Orange Cup, Pathway Teams and more Our biggest Race of the Day What’s coming next at Milnerton Beach If you love surf sport, pool lifesaving, racing analysis, athlete stories or you’re following the 2025 Rescue Sport Series — this is the perfect episode to jump in. Chapters:00:00 Intro02:00 Rippers & Dippers12:00 UWC Pool #120:00 Strand Pool #230:00 Clifton Surf #145:00 Athlete Interviews55:00 Race of the Day1:02:00 Looking Ahead

Get ready for one of the biggest events in global lifesaving sport — the International Surf Rescue Challenge (ISRC), live from Mount Maunganui, New Zealand! In this info-packed episode, Christina and Brent dive into everything you need to know before the teams hit the sand and surf. We’ll unpack the history of the ISRC, the event format, and the rise of the National and President’s Teams — plus interviews with four South African athletes heading to New Zealand: Amica De Jager, Eve Abrahams, Tyne van Achtenbergh, and Samuel Booysen. Expect some friendly banter, expert insights, travel tips, and strategies to survive the time zone shift — along with predictions, favourites, and a few laughs along the way. If you love lifesaving sport, this one’s a must-listen.Don’t miss it — it’s everything you need to know before ISRC 2025 kicks off.

Welcome to The Rip! Winter Awards Show — our completely unofficial, mostly unscientific, and slightly biased look back at lifesaving’s off-season. From athletes who braved international competitions, to clubs and innovations that kept the energy alive all winter, Xtina and Brent hand out awards everyone wants to win, but never knew they could! We also look ahead to what’s coming this summer — from the Rescue Sport Series and Battle of the Bays to new events, South Africans abroad, and the countdown to the 2026 World Champs in Port Elizabeth. 🎬 Expect laughs, opinions, a bit of bias, and a lot of love for lifesaving. 🎧 Listen now — wherever you get your podcasts.

Today on The Rip, we’re back with our ‘Chapters’ series — where sport is more than medals. It’s about beginnings, wipeouts, comebacks, rescues, and the people who shape the journey. In this episode, we welcome Tanner Gorille — Clifton lifesaver, board paddler, surf swimmer, Royal Life Saving Society medal recipient, leader, and now a President’s Team athlete preparing for the world stage. From nipper carnivals and first big waves, through senior racing and rescue patrols, to balancing leadership and high-performance ambitions, Tanner shares the stories, lessons, and laughs that have defined his chapters so far.

Welcome to Chapters, a brand-new format of The Rip Podcast. In this episode, Caitlin Brouckaert shares her journey from Fish Hoek Nippers, through netball detours, to podiums in Opens and representing South Africa on the National Team — and now, her next big challenge racing in Australia. Why you should listen: Discover the mindset, lessons, and setbacks that shaped one of South Africa’s fastest board starters, and get an inside look at the people and moments that inspired her along the way.

In this in-depth masterclass, strength and conditioning coach Brent Shield breaks down everything lifesaving athletes need to know about building power, staying strong, and recovering smarter. From structuring your off-season lifting to fuelling your training with the right nutrition, Brent shares practical, no-nonsense advice for athletes at every level. Expect insights on the best exercises for beach and pool performance, how to adjust your strength work through the season, and answers to the most common questions athletes ask about training, recovery, and motivation. Whether you’re a junior lifeguard starting out, or an experienced athlete chasing peak performance, this episode will help you level up your approach to strength and conditioning.

In this bonus episode of The Rip, Christina answers the questions athletes ask most about social media. From how often to post, to building confidence, growing your following, and keeping sponsors happy without losing your authentic voice — this 10-minute masterclass is packed with practical advice for every athlete who wants to step up their online game.

Lifesaving athletes — your platform has power.Want to grow your following, attract sponsors, and help elevate the sport? In this masterclass episode of The Rip, we break down how to use social media with purpose — and impact. From strategy and storytelling to content creation and common mistakes, learn how to build your personal brand and help grow the profile of lifesaving along the way. 🎙️ Featuring Christina Mallion, founder of Get On! — a sports media and sponsorship agency helping athletes, teams, and events turn stories into spotlight.With 10+ years of experience in content creation, brand strategy, and storytelling, she shares real, practical advice that works — on and off the sand.

This episode has it ALL! Watch or Listen! 🎥🎙️ Christina and Brent kick off with some epic Rippers and Dippers, they're talking new podcast rivalries, Rescue Sport Series awards and yes — a shiny new studio! Then, buckle up for our SA Champs review, it’s a condensed but full list of 10 key moments from the week in PE! We unpack the feisty flags arena, why Christina was straight-up crying on the beach, and how some Open Ladies are powering up lifesaving by bringing their friends back into the sport. We also discuss the taboo word of the year… ‘upcompeting.’ Finally, stick around for a sneak peek at what’s coming up this winter — think epic training collabs, international showdowns, and some serious Rescue Sport action. This one’s packed — don’t miss it!

Buoys were flying, jellyfish were swarming, and the sprints were decided by toe hairs. Welcome to Episode 07: The Rip. In this epic debrief of the 2025 Western Cape Surf Champs, we break down one of the most intense weekends in Lifesaving sport this season. From wild surf swims to running through our highlights from each club, tactical brilliance to utter carnage, this episode dives into our highlights and hopes for the future of Lifesaving Sport in 2026! We’ve got chaotic surf stories, shoutouts to clubs bringing the vibes, and our picks for Rippers and Dippers of the week. Whether you missed it or you’re still posting Rescue Sport Series surf photos on your instagram — this one’s for you. Let’s get into The Rip.

🎧 The Rip Episode 06: IPT Pool Rescue Champs Preview Show 🏊‍♂️In this episode, we dive into everything you need to know about the upcoming 2025 Interprovincial Pool Rescue Championships. From the history of the event to who's competing, and even the team sheets from the Western Cape, we've got you covered. We also take a look at the venue (A Catholics Boys school in Joburg) and share some incredible stories about the athletes that make the Western Cape Pool Rescue teams so special. Tune in as we break it all down and share our excitement for this exciting event!

The Rip Podcast is back with Episode 05, bringing you an unfiltered review of the 2025 Interprovincial Lifesaving Championships at Santos Beach, Mossel Bay! 🌊🔥 Brent & Xtina dive into the standout races, unexpected moments, and behind-the-scenes stories that made this weekend one to remember. From Georgia Singe channeling “Handré Pollard energy” 🏉 to Xtina joining the “Purple People Eater” Invitational team 💜, plus a revolutionary way to smooth out the flags arena – it’s all here. They also explore how IPT could evolve into a next-level competition in lifesaving sport, unlocking its full potential for athletes, teams, and spectators. 🚀🏆 Tune in for expert insights, honest takes, and a whole lot of laughs. 🎧💬 Listen now! #Lifesaving #LifesavingSport #LifesavingPodcast

In this episode, we turn the mic on Brent Shield, diving into his journey through lifesaving—how it all started, the defining moments that shaped him, and the impact of the sport beyond competition. From favourite events and standout races to real-world rescues and lifelong lessons, Brent shares what keeps him coming back to the water. Plus, we talk about why The Rip exists, what’s coming next, and even invent a brand-new lifesaving event! Tune in, get to know your host, and join the conversation. 🌊🏊‍♂️ 🔗 Listen now & follow for more! #TheRipPodcast #LifesavingSport

Get ready for the biggest event in local surf lifesaving sport – the Western Cape Champs! In this episode, we break down everything you need to know ahead of the competition, from the top contenders to key events and strategies. Join us as we preview the action, share expert insights, and prepare you for an exciting championship weekend where the best of the best will fight for victory. Don’t miss out on all the thrilling details!