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Africa’s Toughest Ocean Swim could get tougher

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Over 50 swimmers from around the country will descend on Port Elizabeth this weekend to attempt the 2013 Nelson Mandela Bay Bell Buoy Challenge, a tough 8km ocean swim which is billed as ‘Africa’s toughest ocean swim’.

The event is well know around the world as the premier Indian Ocean swim and has several former World Champions as past winners, having startd in 2009 following a solo swim by Port Elizabeth open water swimming legend Kyle Main.

Main, for the first time since his solo swim, will be taking part in the Bell Buoy Challenge as encouragement to his many swim school students who are taking part this year.

Despite this once international event not having secured any sponsors this year, the Taryn Laine Clinic has come forward with prize money of R4,000 for the overall male and female winners in the wetsuit and swimsuit categories.

“The weather forecast for the weekend is not looking good at this stage and all indications are that this swim will live up to it’s reputation of being Africa’s toughest ocean swim,” said race owner Mike Zoetmulder. “We are covering all bases to ensure a safe swim for all participants and have a wonderful water safety compliment from the Metro, Algoa Bay Yacht Club, Bluewater Bay and Summerstrand Surf Lifesaving Clubs and various professionals in their private capacity with NSRI on immediate call.”

The absence of international swimmers hasn’t put a damper on the event with former star SA swimmer Gary Albertyn keen to impress and try to win on his debut Bell Buoy swim.

The swim will form part of the 2013 Splash Festival program and starts at 8:30am on Hobie Beach. The leading swimmers are expected to complete the swim in around 1hr 35 minutes and will find it hard to beat the course record of 1hr 31min set by SA Olympic swimmer Troy Prinsloo in pool like conditions last year. Prize giving follows on the beach at 12:30pm.

2012 Bell Buoy Challenge Winners
2012 Bell Buoy Challenge Winners, back row Chief Referee, Neville Smith, Philip Emslie, Tyron Venter, Jonathan Roux, Luke Nisbet, Dominic Dryding, Troyden Prinsloo, organiser Mike Zoetmulder. Front Row; Tammy Geyer, Maria Stott, Jen Schumacher and Nicole Brits.
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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.