Whilst 16 year olds were winning the various disciplines in last Sundays Nelson Mandela Bay Ocean Racing Series – round 2, 82 year old Quentin Vermaak was pacing down the beach to claim gold in the 60 years and over category in the Swirlers 5km Beach Walk. Vermaak is no stranger to walking events and has represented Eastern Province in various age groups and has now taken to the Ocean Racing Series which takes place on alternate Sunday mornings at Hobie Beach.
“I have been walking since 1963 and this is the first time I’m taking part in a walking event on the sand and whilst it’s tough I’m really enjoying being part of this professionally organised and regular Series” said Vermaak after the event. Without transport of his own or anyone to assist, Vermaak who is just 4 months from his 83rd birthday, walks to Hobie Beach and back from his house in Lorraine on the alternate Sunday mornings to take part in the 5km Beach Walk event.
On the other end of the age spectrum, the youngsters challenge was led by 16 year old Keegan Cooke who won the Kingfisher FM 5km Beach Run from Juwayne Fletcher and 15 year old Dylan Finlay, all out pacing round 1 champion, 17 year old Munro Ferreira who placed 4th on Sunday. 12 year old Megan Snyman placed 3rd in the ladies beach run which was won by GailWillimott with Grahamstown’s Chifuno Stevens in 2nd place.
In the Dis-Chem 1km Ocean Swim, the top 3 were all 16 years old as Daniel Jones continued his winning streak ahead with another comfortable win ahead of Joshua Bellairs and Robert Masterton. In great form, 54 year old Mark Edge placed 4th overall. Edge is a former water sport great and top EP swimming coach who has represented South Africa in 5 different sports. In the girls 1km race it was 16 year old Tarryn Els, who is ranked number 1 in Sa for the 100m and 200m butterfly in her age group and recently got selected to represent SA at the African Championships later this year. Els won from Kirsten Marriott and Genna Greevelink. Staying in the water, Wayne Jones and Jessica Roux continued maintained their Season 9 unbeaten record with wins in the Dis-Chem 2km Ocean Swim whilst Jason Jones and Rebecca Newman placed second in the men’s and ladies race respectively with Bruce Campbell and Liza Bright claiming the bronze medal positions.
The Swirlers 5km Beach Walk once again saw Juan Slabbert and Taryn Ferreira stepping it out for the gold medal, followed home by Colin Korkie and Mile Vermaak whilst Johan Ferreira and Laura Munnik took the bronze medals on offer.
In the popular Crickley Dairy kids 1km beach run which is attracting children from the age of 6 months to 12 years, Kayla Ferreira and Adam Grosse took out the 11 to 12 years category ahead of Monique Ferreira and Luke Nienaber with Zoe Gray and Cameron Duffy in 3rd place. In the 9 to 10 years age group top 3 boys were Zack Serfontein, Luke Flood and Clinton Eales whilst Jamie Bulbring Tara Sacke and Rebecca Mardon took the girls race. The boys 7 to 8 year category was won by Josh Pretorius ahead of Ethan Pace and Tyron Jeacocks whilst in the girls it was Britney Brown from Paige Dickson and Robyn Hough. In the youngest and most popular category, the 6 and under, it was Chad Brown from Ethan Hickman and Jayson Archibald for the boys whilst in the girls it was Tayla Pretorius from Kayley Pace and Megan Hough.
Series returns for Round 3 on Sunday 3rd November, 9:00 am at the Hobie Beach in Port Elizabeth.
Alan Straton
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