MyPE

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

Heading into the Home Stretch

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After an eventful start, Africa’s largest family beach event has reached the final four races of the season.

The 6-month long series, which was scheduled to kick off on the 6th of October, was hampered by winds in excess of 60km/h which led to the eventual cancellation of the first round. Thereafter the event has gained momentum with the weather playing ball for all subsequent race days and swimmers enjoying mostly flat seas and a great atmosphere.

Now with the aQuelle Ocean Racing Series heading into round 8, the level of competition taking place at Hobie Beach is about to rise a notch. With few to no clear runaway leaders in any of the seven disciplines and some fierce rivalry been participants the event will look to put on a show for those spectators watching on from the side lines.

In arguably the events most challenging discipline, the 3km swim, 42-year old Mary-anne Stott takes a solid lead into the final 4 races in the women’s section. With a best finish of second place to go with 3 thirds she looks like the woman to beat in the day’s main race. On the men’s side, 16-year old Kyle White leads the way after 3 successive victories in rounds 2, 3 and 4. White can rest assured though that he will have BluSmooth’s Kevin Richards, who currently sits in 2nd overall, hot on his heels for the duration of the series. Plenty of other disciplines are equally tightly contested with 1st and 2nd in the 400meter, 1km and 5km beach run all separated by less than 40 points.

The event also offers children of all ages the opportunity for healthy competition and the chance to spend their day on one of Port Elizabeth’s most popular beaches. Children under the age of 12 race in the 1km kids beach run which kicks of simultaneously with all the other events. “Children have so much to enjoy at the aQuelle Ocean Racing Series”, says event organizer Michael Zoetmulder. “Besides spending the morning at the beach and competing in a fun-filled event, the MC, Gareth Burley, entertains them endlessly and that’s what the event is all about. Lots of fun, plenty of prizes and making some memories”.
At each Ocean Racing Series all participants are given an ice cold aQuelle while kids receive a unique collector’s medal at the end of each race. Finishers at the event can also look forward to a post-race prize giving at which medals are awarded to winners and has R2000 in Greenacres vouchers up for grabs each race day.

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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.