Water skiing over cancer - Diego does it! |05 April 2018

And he did it! Young Praslinois Diego Rose completed a perfect water ski trip (without any falls) from Praslin to Mahé -- a distance of almost 50km -- in only 59 minutes, over the weekend.

Diego, who had planned this event in order to raise funds towards improving facilities and services for cancer patients, was inspired to do so after his mother was diagnosed with cancer recently.

“When my mother was diagnosed with cancer, we were lucky enough to have afforded to send her for medical treatment in Brussels. I am really saddened by the fact that not all Seychellois can afford same, and as a result are at a disadvantage. I therefore planned this charity event to raise funds to improve the treatment that we can provide locally, in order to give more patients a second chance to life,” Diego shared.

Diego had been training for long distance skiing for over one year, so when this bright idea came late last year, he felt it was the perfect timing to go ahead with it.

“When approached by the brave 21-year-old with a great vision, who had approached several other charity organisations, we The Soroptimist Club believed in him and partnered with him to make this event come to reality. We are glad he chose us and started planning in February, especially with marketing the event. I must say that today we are very proud of his success. All funds raised will go towards the specific project that Diego has chosen and we are sure it will help in saving lives,” Angelica Morel, President of the Soroptimist Club, shared.

On Mahé, Diego stopped at the Fire & Ice Lounge, Angel Fish Marina which also assisted to host him as well as donate proceeds from the after party held later that day.

A group of supporters, including Health Minister Jean-Paul Adam, were there to welcome him.

Diego seized the moment to thank the Seychellois nation for collectively donating towards this cause which he greatly holds dear to his heart, as well as the many people who supported him on the day itself.

“Many people came to see us off at the Baie Ste Anne Praslin jetty and many Praslinois, Diguois and even people from Mahé have accompanied me in boats and jet skis for the trip. We are very grateful to you all. It is amazing how all doors were open for me and so many people from different walks of life donated. Thank you to every single one of you who also welcomed me on Mahé, especially Minister Adam for making an effort to be here,” he said.

Among the crowd who cheered and supported Diego on the trip was his mother, Sybille Rose, who shared a few words with us: “Today I am very proud of my son. Especially proud because this was completely his idea and we only supported him. My illness was a very difficult time for him as he was away studying and I believe it really impacted his life. He now understands how tough it is on a family when you go through such difficult times. But I am amazed at how so many people donated to the cause; not one person refused to support him and even those you would have least expected responded. This cause has really united the Seychellois community; we have laid aside our differences and that is fantastic.”

Donations can be made with Diego himself, his family or online through https://www.gofundme.com/WaterSkiingOverCancerSeychelles and will remain open until August 15, when the final amount collected will be officially handed over to the Soroptimist Club.

Text: Nadia Bedier

Photos: Romano Laurence