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

Nelson Mandela Bay Open Water Swim Champs

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This Sunday sees the Nelson Mandela Bay Aquatics (NMBA) 10km and 3km swim championship events taking place at Settlers Dam just outside Grahamstown as part of the EC Swim Challenge Series – Round 4.

Whilst the title race for the 3km race is anticipated to be a tight affair between leading local open water swimmers Ian Venter and Daniel Jones, there is uncertainty whether any swimmers will be attempting the 10km swim which has only been contested by top female open water swimmer Rebecca Newman this season.

Swimmers from around the Province are expected to attend the Series on Sunday as it is the only sanctioned event in the Eastern Cape where registered swimmers can obtain their Swimming South Africa open water qualifying times. For the 10km and 3km Championship races, it’s only swimmers who have already registered a finish time during the EC Swim Series this season that are eligible for qualify for the NMBA Championship medals this weekend.

Sunday will also include a 5km and 1km swim with races open to all registered and social open water swimmers. Wetsuit swimmers are also most welcome during these events. The EC Swim Challenge Series will conclude on Sunday 14th February with the NMBA 5km Championship swims and the last of the 10km, 3km and 1km swim for this season offering the registered swimmers their last opportunity to gain a qualifying time to attend the SA open water nationals.

“We are looking forward to a well attended event this Sunday ahead of the 92nd SPAR River Mile which takes place in two weeks time,” said race organiser Mike Zoetmulder of Zsports Events NPC. “It will be very interesting to see how defending River Mile champions Daniel Jones and Hannah Haswell do in this Sunday’s 3km race.”

Whilst registration for the EC Swim Challenge Series is a once-off procedure, those who are still not registered should do so online (www.ecswim.co.za) before Friday morning. Late entries are also accepted at the venue on the day. Swimming starts at 8am on Sunday morning with the 10km and 1km races whilst the 3km will start at 11am.

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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.