Giving back while pushing yourself to the limit might not be for everyone, but Chief Officer Calvin Zeelie obviously enjoys a challenge. Zeelie plans to line up for his third South African Ironman race this April as part of his personal mission to complete Ironman events around the globe. He has already completed two Ironman races in South Africa, one in Estonia, and one in Mexico so far. The Ironman Triathlon is no small feat — athletes tackle a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride, and a 26.2-mile marathon. This year’s race takes place in Nelson Mandela Bay, near his hometown of Port Elizabeth, on April 19. Zeelie grew up in South Africa and entered the yachting industry in 2017, working on deck across a variety of vessels. He is currently working toward his Master 3000 certification. “After completing my OOW, I felt a strong sense of accomplishment, but knew I needed something new with purpose to focus on,” he said. “Fitness has always been a big part of my life, and growing up in Port Elizabeth, I had watched the Ironman race every year since the age of 13, dreaming of one day competing.” He decided 2024 was the year, and he entered his first Ironman race with his brother. “Completing that first race alongside my brother was a turning point — the Ironman bug had officially bitten,” he said. “Since then, I have committed not only to racing in the South African Ironman but have set myself the challenge of competing in as many races worldwide as possible.” Making that work around his yachting schedule takes careful planning. During rotations off the boat, Zeelie often trains three times a day. On board, he adapts, using the gym and setting up a stationary bike in the tender bay when possible. He fits in runs ashore and swims when he can. “Balancing the demands of the role with such an intense training schedule requires commitment, but I believe my discipline and passion for fitness make it possible,” he said. This year, however, the challenge carries more weight than a personal best. Zeelie is dedicating his upcoming race, the 2026 Isuzu Ironman SA African Championship, to Summerhill House, a nonprofit supporting vulnerable children in South Africa. The connection came through former chief stewardess Nicole Kitchen, who has since transitioned into the nonprofit sector and serves as the organization’s events fundraising coordinator. The two previously worked together and reconnected after she joined the charity. “I had a dream to create international awareness for this incredible organization, and having followed Calvin’s Ironman journeys over the years, I started researching and came across Ironman4Kidz. Immediately, I knew Calvin was the perfect person to approach,” Kitchen said. Zeelie didn’t hesitate. “He explained that it felt almost like a calling, as he had recently felt a deep need to do something more purposeful and give back to the community,” Kitchen said. “Having grown up in South Africa and witnessed the struggles so many children face, dedicating this race to Summerhill House was the perfect way to combine his passion for fitness with his desire to inspire change and bring hope.” Located in an underprivileged community in KwaZulu-Natal, Summerhill House provides holistic care for vulnerable, orphaned, and abandoned children through Summerhill’s children’s village and community initiatives. They run both a children’s home and an outreach program. Children are placed in family-style homes with a house mother who cares for six children, while the community programs support families in the area. “Calvin’s fundraiser will go directly toward our Education Fund, which ensures that children in our care can access the schooling, therapy, and opportunities they need to thrive,” Kitchen said. “Overall, this fund is about more than school fees — it’s about giving children the chance to flourish, overcome challenges, and step into a future filled with confidence, joy, and purpose.” Zeelie hopes to raise R100,000 (approximately $6,250) for Summerhill House and has already surpassed the halfway mark, raising R71,520 (approximately $4,470) so far. Want to help him out? You can contribute to his fundraiser. Check out Triton’s latest issue