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Community Business Directory, Event Listings, News and Views from Gqeberha, Nelson Mandela Bay

Bell Buoy Challenge

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Just under 100 of South Africa’s bravest open water swimmers have entered to line up on Pollok Beach on Saturday morning to take part in the 2015 Jendamark Bellbuoy Challenge, billed as the toughest Indian Ocean Swim.

Bell Buouy Challenge
It’s not called the toughest Indian Ocean swim for nothing, 5km in one of the most treacherous stretches of water in Algoa Bay with strong currents.

This unique Nelson Mandela Bay event has attracted swimmers from around the country who will attempt the 5km ocean swim which takes them from Pollok Beach to the nautical bellbuoy some 2.5km directly off-shore before returning to Pollok Beach. Strong currents, winds and the swells are just some of the elements which participants have to contend with, not to mention the fear factor of being 2.5km off shore.

One of South Africa’s greatest swimmers of all time, Gary Albertyn of Pretoria, will be one of the visiting participants hoping to improve on previous years results. Albertyn, a phenomenal pool swimmer who held the record for the most SA titles, finished 3rd last year behind Dylan Smith and 2014 Champion Byron Lockett.

“It’s always fantastic when Port Elizabeth events are able to attract athlete’s like Gary as it allows our local participants to rub shoulders with some of the greats of their sport.” said race director Mike Zoetmulder of Zsports Events NPC, a local non profit events company which are the innovators behind a lot of the exciting new sports events in Port Elizabeth.

Whilst only having been established in 2010, the Bellbuoy Challenge has already become well known in world open water swimming circles and has one of the most impressive winners lists for a South African event. This list includes no fewer than 4 Olympic swimmers with one of the greatest open water swimmers of all time, Bulgaria’s Petar Stoychev, being the first Men’s champion in 2010, sharing the podium with 2010 ladies champion, the legendary Australian former world record holder Melissa Gorman. In 2011 Slovenian Rok Kerin won the title and in 2012 the race found it’s first SA champion in SA Olympic swimmer Troy Prinsloo from Durban. In 2013 the first local champions were crowned with PJ Duffy winning the swimsuit category and Wayne Jones the wetsuit Category. The unique wire and bead bellbuoy replica trophies remained in the city last year with Byron Lockett (swimsuit) and Gustac Lokotsch (wetsuit) winning the Men’s Category and Kirsten Marriott (swimsuit) and Amy Mardon (wetsuit) claiming their maiden ladies titles.

The Jendamark Bellbuoy Challenge offers a fantastic public spectacle, starting at 8.30am from Pollok Beach with the winners expected to take just one hour to complete the 5km swim. Final entries for the event will close on Wednesday (18th) and all participants are called to the Heineken Meet & Greet session at News Cafe on Friday 20th between 6pm and 7pm to receive race instructions and race kit.

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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.