News Archive - February 2010

17 February 2010

Perfect conditions at Hobie Beach in Port Elizabeth

After a two week layoff, 244 open water swimmers took to the water in perfect conditions at Hobie Beach in Port Elizabeth on Sunday. 21 degree water and calm conditions saw some of the fastest times ever swum in the Axxess DSL Ocean Racing Series. Mike Zoetmulder, the race organizer said that over the past five years since the Series started, there have been a few special days and Sunday was certainly up there with the best. “The conditions were tailor made for swimming with perfect visibility, sunshine and no wind”, said Zoetmulder. “The times swimmers recorded were around ten minutes faster than usual, which shows just how good the conditions were”.

Veteran open water swimmer Russell Tucker, who is leading the rankings in the men’s O/50 category concurred with Zoetmulder and said that he has rarely seen such pristine conditions in Algoa Bay. “It was so good that a small group of us even went and swam another 2 K straight after the race’, said Tucker. Frank Greeff won the 3 K swim from Michael Marais, who recently won the 10 K swim at the Eastern Province Championships in Jeffreys Bay.

Rising open water swim sensation Wayne Jones came 3rd. Open water swim queen Jessica Roux remained unbeaten in the women’s division beating Rebecca Newman into 2nd position.

Chris van Der Sande won the 1 K event from Andrew Fischer while Carmel Billson beat her sister Lauren in the women’s section. Ralph West continued on his winning way in the men’s O/40 division. Chad Ho

South African Olympic open water swimmer Chad Ho continued on the winning path in South America when he claimed his second silver medal in two races in the FINA 10 K World Cup. Ho said afterwards that he felt good throughout the race and was very happy with his results in the World Cup. Ho then flew back to South Africa in time to win the Midmar Mile in KwaZulu/Natal.

Chad will be in action at the Redhouse River Mile which will be held at Sundays River just outside Port Elizabeth on 28 February.

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04 February 2010

Guppy Fish shows her style in swimming pool

VICTORIA Park pupil Guppy Fish again underlined her prowess in the swimming pool at the EP High Schools trials with a series of fine results in Uitenhage at the weekend.

Fish took gold medals in the 100m backstroke, 100m freestyle and 200m individual medley, and claimed bronze in the 100m butterfly, 400m individual medley and 200m freestyle.

She has been selected to swim in Durban at the SA National Championships and will also be swimming in the SA Schools National Champs in East London.

Fish recently competed in the Western Province Open and qualified for the finals in all her events. She won gold medals in the 100m and 50m backstroke events, a silver medal in the 200m individual medley and two bronze medals.

Another VP pupil, Jason Jones, won a silver medal in the 100m backstroke and a bronze in the 50m backstroke in a recent interprovincial.

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01 February 2010

Roux continues impressive form

Jessica Roux remained unbeaten in open water swimming in the Eastern Cape over the weekend when she won the women’s 10km and 3km swims at the inaugural Eastern Province Open Water Swim Championships held at Marina Martinique.

Michael Marais won the men’s 10 km event with both Roux and Marais recording South African national 10 km qualifying times. After the race Roux said the swim was tough but she was happy with her time and was looking forward to the South African National Championships that will be held in Durban in April.

"There was a strong east wind blowing that caused chop but apart from that it was a great swim and great preparation for the international 7km Nelson Mandela Bay Bell Buoy swim that will take place in Port Elizabeth during the Easter MTN Nelson Mandela Bay Splash Festival”, said Roux after her 10km race.

Rebecca Newman swam her first ever 10 K swim, finishing ahead of veteran Jeffreys Bay swimmers Brenton Williams and Alfred te Water Naude, who came first and second respectively in their first marathon swims.

Chris Van Der Sande and Tammy Geyer won the 5km swim respectively with Sanmari Woithe and Andre Kleynhans winning the masters categories. Van Der Sande, who has been unbeaten in the SPAR 1km swims at the Axxess DSL Ocean Racing Series this season, also won the 3km swim while Jessica Roux continued to dominate the women’s 3km event. JC van Wyk from Jeffreys Bay won the master’s category.

Dominic Greeff won the 1km swim from Jamie-Lee Sclemmer in a tight tussle that was decided on the finish line. Jeffreys Bay swimmer Danie Ellis (11) won the under 14 division in the event from younger brother Pieter. Richden Jute and Denise Bosman were the first master’s swimmers home in their respective categories.

Mike Zoetmulder from Zports who managed the event said he was very satisfied with the turn out for the EP Champs. “This is the first time this season we have had entries for the 10km, which indicates the growing commitment of marathon swimmers in the Eastern Cape. In total we had 16 entrants in the 5km and 10km swims, with 15 swimmers managing to finish their races”.

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