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The toughest Indian Ocean Swim in the world

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One of the most daunting 5km ocean swims in the world, the Jendamark Bellbuoy Challenge, will be taking place at the end of the month with some 100 swimmers expected to take part. This internationally acclaimed sea swim is hailed as the toughest Indian Ocean Swim in the world and despite its short existence of just 6 years, this local event already has some world famous swimming names on the list of winners.

Leading local export company Jendamark Automation have been the naming sponsor of the event for the past two seasons and recently agreed a 5 year sponsorship for the swim with record prize money up for grabs this year as cash prizes are the same for both the swimsuit and the wetsuit categories. Hydration for the swimmers will be provided by 32GI. Part of the history of the race are 6 local swimmers who have completed all 6 Bellbuoy swims to date, this group has Mary-Anne Stott as the only female,  disabled swimmer Stanford Slabbert and includes Richden Jute, Andre Kleynhans, Ralph West and Jeffrey’s Bay swim coach Brenton Williams. Currently Stott’s mother, Maria, holds the record for the oldest female to complete the swim at 59 years and 9 months whilst Rob Connacher is the oldest male to have finished the swim when in 2014 he was 80yrs and 3 days. The youngest girl was Christie Vaughan (14yrs and 28 days) whilst the youngest boy was Ian Venter (14yrs and 334 days). The minimum age for the swim is 14 years on race day.

Already entered for this month’s swim is well know South African record breaking swimmer Gary Albertyn and his wife Megan, both current South African age group champions who are expected to win their respective age groups at this weekend’s aQuellé Midmar Mile swim. This will be Gary’s 3rd Bellbuoy swim after having finished 3rd in 2015 and 2014 and 2nd in the wetsuit category in 2013 whilst Megan will be attempting her first Bellbuoy Challenge.

“This is one of the many epic open water swimming events in South Africa which last year enjoyed a record number of entries,” said race organiser Mike Zoetmulder of Zsports Events NPC. “Each year it’s great to see more and more social open water swimmers taking up the challenge.”

“Whilst the 5km distance is achievable for many, it’s the fear factor of swimming 2.5km directly out to sea which separates the Jendamark Bellbuoy Challenge swimmers from all others.”

Around 100 swimmers from around the country are anticipated to tackle the challenge on Saturday 27th February at Pollok Beach with the swim starting at 8.30am. A compulsory race meet and greet registration evening takes place on Friday 26th at News Cafe Boardwalk.

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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.