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aQuelle ORS ends on Sunday

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Tiara Finnis
At just 10 years of age, Tiara Finnis of Morningside was one of the finds of the Season, excelling in the 400m Ocean Swim discipline at the aQuellé Ocean Racing Series this season. Photo: Michael Sheehan

The 12th season of the aQuellé Ocean Racing Series, Africa’s largest family beach event which is unique to Nelson Mandela Bay, concludes this Sunday morning when round 10 kicks off at 9am

Drawing an average of between 400 and 500 participants on mostly alternate Sunday mornings throughout the whole of summer, the Series is truly a family affair with no fewer than 7 simultaneously running events taking place which are suitable for all members of the family. The Series kicks off each October and usually features between 10 and 12 race days to conclude the week before the Ironman weekend. An ideal regular sporting outlet for swimmer, fun runners and walkers, the Series this season included a 3km, 2km, 1km and 400m ocean swim together with a 5km beach walk, beach run and a kids 1km beach run for 12 years and under. Participants wanting to take part in the Series are welcome to join at any stage of the season and Sunday will be your last chance to take part in the 2016-17 season.

Immediately after the races on Sunday, the overall prize giving function for the kids 1km Beach Run will take place at the beach before everyone heads up to the News Cafe for the Series final prize giving function to honour the overall series winners. Racing starts at 9am on Sunday, kids prize giving on the beach between 10am and 10.30am and the senior prize giving at News Cafe between 11am and 1pm. Sunday will also be a double points day and this could have a significant impact on the overall standings where 7 out of a possible 10 race results are taken into account.

Going into the final round, a handful of the participants have managed to stay undefeated and will be looking to keep a clean record come Sunday. These include Belinda Niemand (5km Ladies Walk), Grobbie Grobler (5km Men’s Walk), Tara Sacke (5km Ladies Run), Tiara Finnis (400m Girls Swim), Kirstin Marriott (1km Ladies Swim), Ian Venter (1km Men’s Swim) and Amica De Jager (3km Ladies Swim). One of the biggest upsets this season was Daniel Jones (2km swim) losing to Slater Black in Round 7. This was the first time in several years that Jones had not won the race.

A significant highlight for season 12 has been the inclusion of almost 80 children from historically disadvantaged communities as part of Zsports Events NPC’s Masakhane Future Stars Development program which is backed by Caltex Eastern Cape. These children are given the opportunity to take part in local Zsports events throughout the year and to watch them flourish in their various disciplines this year has been unbelievable. Hopefully this is something which will continue to grow in Port Elizabeth.

See www.oceanracingseries.com to register for Sunday morning or come down to Hobie Beach from 7.30am where late entries will be accepted. Bookings at News Cafe for the final series prize giving is highly recommended.

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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.