News Archive - January 2010

28 January 2010

Redhouse moves to Sunday's River

Redhouse moves to Sunday's River The 2010 SPAR Redhouse River Mile, Africa’s oldest open water swimming event, which is taking place over the weekend of 27/28 February is being moved to Cannonville on the Sundays River due to dangerously high levels of pollution in the Swartkops River.

“The decision to move the event was not something which we've taken lightly but the health and well being of our participants is paramount,” says race organiser, Mike Zoetmulder of Zports in Port Elizabeth. “Following numerous meetings with regards to the water quality, the Municipality advised us in writing on Monday (26th January) that they are unable to guarantee the quality in the Swartkops River and would not support the event at the present venue.”

Started in 1924, the event is celebrating its 86th anniversary and organisers, Zports, have indicated that the change in venue will not affect their ability to host another world class event, with the 2010 event carrying the highest prize money ever for the River Mile.

Over R26,000 in cash will be up for grabs over the weekend as well as medals, free hydration drinks and lucky draw prizes which include 4 Vuka Scuta's.

The program of events scheduled for Sunday's River will kick off on Saturday morning with the Discovery off-roader, an off-road triathlon style event which has been established to raise funds for various projects run by the Rotary Club of Port Elizabeth Sunrise. Visitors to the event will be entertained in the Castle Lite Beer Garden and many vendors will be at the event to supply eats.

Sunday’s program kicks off at 12 noon with the Nando’s kids preliminary 10 and under and 12 and under swim races across the river. This will be followed by a celebrity Swim Challenge where the winner will get R1000 cash to donate to a charity of their choice, the Ladies Mile will be at 13h30 and the finale, the Men’s Mile starts at 14h30.

Entry forms can be obtained from all Eastern Cape SPAR outlets and all leading sports stores. Completed entry forms can be handed in at Zports House, News Cafe (Boardwalk), Triangle Sports, Brian Band Sports (PE) or Brockett Sports (Uitenhage). All participants entering online will qualify for a free Redhouse River Mile t-shirt when entering and paying before the 3rd February. See www.redhouserivermile.co.za for further information or to register. Late entries will be accepted at race registration on Saturday 27th, with a late entry fee being charged. A double late entry fee will apply for entries taken on race day.

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27 January 2010

Jones edges Marais at Hobie Beach

Just under 600 participants lined up on Hobie Beach for the eighth round of the Axxess DSL Ocean Racing Series on Sunday morning. An exciting finish to the Crocs 3km Ocean Swim saw 14-year-old Wayne Jones out sprinting Michael Marais for the spoils. Wayne Jones and Michael Marais

The Boardwalk Ocean Paddle was won by Marc Economou with Inge Economou taking the ladies paddle. Chris van de Sande and Carmel Billson once again dominated the SPAR 1km swim as did Liandre Pretorius and Marinus Johnson in the Beachfront Lodges 5km Beach Run. Wayne Jones and Jessica Roux won the Crocs 3km swim while young Ryan Harris and Jenna Parry won the Beachfront Lodges 2km Nature Series Run for kids 12 and under.

Lindy Taverner was on hand to make a presentation to the Reach for a Dream foundation on behalf of the Series and Rush Magazine while Bay World were present to talk to the crowds about our dolphins and to present the top three kids in each of the age groups in the Beachfront Lodges Kids 12u 2km Nature Run with prizes from Bay World, Spur and Lighthouses Entertainment.

Charmaine de Beer was the lucky winner of the R1 000 cash during the lucky draw prize giving on the beach which features prizes valued in excess of R15 000.

Full results from the Series are available on the Series website www.oceanracingseries.com with photographs being available on the website www.beachfrontlodges.co.za. Anyone wanting to take part in the Series, with still four race days remaining, is encouraged to register online as registrations on the morning of the event incur a late registration fee and are not included for overall and category medals on the morning. The next race day will take place on Sunday, February 14.

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20 January 2010

Roux-family dominates Swim Series

It was a busy Sunday morning for the Roux family at the fourth round of EP Aquatics's open water swimming series at the Marina Martinique as they dominated the moring's proceedings.

Eldest sibling Jessica led the 5km swim from start to finish remaining unbeaten in the ladies' category of the Series with Rebecca Newman in second place and local Kouga Swim Club Coach, Brenton Williams, in third place.

In the 3km swim it was the turn of younger brother Jonathan to take the honours from JC van Wyk and Richden Jute whilst Chrislie-Thandi Niehaus won the ladies' 3km race from Tammy Geyer and Francesca Pedrosa.

Dominic Greeff continues to dominate the 1km swims with another fine win from Brad Moolman and veteran swimmer Brenton Williams. In the ladies' 1km race it was Tammy Geyer from Francesca Pedrosa and Charne de Jager.

Not to be outdone, 10-year old Matthew Roux had a great swim in the kids 10-and-under swim winning the boys' race from André (second) and Johan (third) Smit whilst Claudia Zoetmulder won the girl's race from Abigail Janse van Rensburg and Genenieve Joubert.

The EP Open Water Swimming Championships will take place at the Marina Martinique on Satuday January 30 and Sunday, January 31 and will include a 10km, 5km, 3km, 1km 500m and kiddies 10 and under bank to bank swim races.

Entries can be done online at www.ecswim.co.za

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20 January 2010

SA swim stars stated 2010 at the International Distance Camp in Germany

SA swim stars Natalie du Toit, Chad Ho, Riaan Schoeman and Heerden Herman trained at the International Distance Camp 2010 in Potsdam, near Berlin from January 3-17, upon invitation of the German Swimming Federation.

The SA swimmers, who were accompanied by Durban-based coach Alisdair Hatfield, were among 6 countries that are attending the annual training camp.

“I believe in international networking and the camp allowed for interaction between the international coaches and for discussion on long distance issues regarding trainings sets and training philosophies,” said German national coach Dirk Lange, who spent four years in SA as mentor to the country’s national team.

“The idea was to increase the technical pressure in quality (very fast sets) and quantity (more than 100 km per week) on the athletes. The first week was guided by Germany and the second week by Australia and SA.”

“SA had very strong athletes. They are still making me proud because I can see the performances of these swimmers which are the result of their individual home coaches and the SSA strategy up to 2008,” said Lange.

SA swimmer Chad Ho, who finished 3rd in the 5 kilometres open water swim at the FINA World Championships in Rome, Italy last year, said: “The camp was important because it gave us an idea of how swimmers from other countries train and what we have to do to improve our standards. The most important aspects that came to mind during the camp were to stay strong, focused and train hard.”

Dr Kerith Aginsky was Swimming SA’s representative attending sports science programmes at the camp in order to ensure that SA’s swim structure on this front stays in touch with international standards.

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11 January 2010

More medals for Molepo as SA swim youngsters achieve waves of success in Kenya

The Maselela Molepo swim show continued to keep the SA team in the medal hunt in the timed finals on the final day of action at the CANA Zone 3 & 4 Championships held in Nairobi, Kenya today.

Limpopo-based Molepo enhanced his status as a rising star in SA swim circles, by clocking a championship record time of 2:18.94 in the 200 metres butterfly, further gold in the 100 metres breaststroke (1:10.26), and silver in the 200 metres freestyle (2:07.07) and 50 metres freestyle (25.04) in the 17 years and over category respectively.

Earlier in the 3-day Championships, Molepo collected gold in the 100 metres backstroke, 200 metres breaststroke (championship record), 200 metres individual medley (championship record) and 100 metres butterfly. On the first two days, he also won silver in the 50 metres breaststroke and 100 metres freestyle and bronze in the 50 metres butterfly.

In the 17 years and over competition, Jessica Bragason finished her campaign in claiming gold in the 50 metres freestyle in 28.45. Earlier in the championships, she had won gold in the 50 and 100 metres breaststroke, 100 metres butterfly, 50 metres backstroke and 100 metres freestyle. She also took home a gold medal as part of the SA 4 x 50 metres freestyle relay team and a bronze medal having lined up for SA in the 4 x 50 metres medley relay.

The other gold medals won by SA on the final day, went to Kelleigh Nelson (200 metres backstroke in 2:43.17 in the girls 13 to 14 years category) and Michelle Nieuwstad (200 metres backstroke in 2:38.75 in the girls 15 to 16 years competition).

Swimming SA CEO Shaun Adriaanse congratulated the young SA swim team on their performances at the CANA Zone 3 & 4 Championships, stating: “The commitment shown by the SA swimmers at these championships is a positive sign as far as the future of SA swimming is concerned, and I look forward to witnessing many of these talented athletes taking their respective swim careers to the next level in time to come.”

SA medals from Day 03:

Boys: 13 to 14 years:
Silver:
50 metres freestyle: Jeremy Ward 27.19
Bronze:
200 metres freestyle: Nizaam Kafaar 2:16.22
Bronze:
200 metres backstroke: Mischa Koopman 2:39.42
Boys: 14 years and under:
Silver: Alaric Basson 2:45.04
Boys: 15 to 16 years:
Silver:
200 metres butterfly: Morney van Schalkwyk 2:23.70
Boys: 15 years and over:
Silver:
200 metres freestyle: Morney van Schalkwyk 2:12.13
200 metres backstroke: Jean van der Vyver 2:26.93
Boys: 17 years and over:
Gold:
100 metres breaststroke: Malesela Molepo 1:10.26
200 metres butterfly: Malesela Molepo 2:18.94 (Championship record)
Silver:
200 metres freestyle: Malesela Molepo 2:07.07
50 metres freestyle: Malesela Molepo 25.04
Girls: 13 to 14 years:
Gold:
200 metres backstroke: Kelleigh Nelson 2:43.17
Silver:
200 metres backstroke: Kirstie Engelke 2:44.64
Bronze:
100 metres breaststroke: Kelleigh Nelson 1:22.92
Girls 14 years and under:
Silver:
200 metres butterfly: Kirstie Engelke 2:58.41
Girls: 15 to 16 years:
Gold:
200 metres backstroke: Michelle Nieuwstad 2:38.75
Silver:
200 metres freestyle: Michelle Nieuwstad: 2:22.30
200 metres backstroke: Meghan Todd 2:41.31
Girls: 17 years and over:
50 metres freestyle:
Gold:
50 metres freestyle: Jessica Bragason 28.45

Final points standings after Day 03 of 03:

Men: 1 Zimbabwe 185, 2 Mauritius 127, 3 Kenya Dolphins 107, 4 SA 97, 5 Zambia 22 Women: 1 Kenya Dolphins 130.5, 2 SA 121.5, 3 Mauritius 107, 4 Botswana 66.5, 5 Zimbabwe 59 Combined scores: 1 Zimbabwe 244, 2 Kenya Dolphins 237.5, 3 Mauritius 234, 4 SA 218.5, 5 Botswana 86.5

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10 January 2010

Molepo continues to shine as SA team keep the medal challenge on course in Kenya

Limpopo swim power rules! Ask Malesela Molepo as he continued to get among the medals and championship records for SA, in the timed finals at the CANA Zone 3 & 4 Championships held in Nairobi, Kenya today.

Following his four-medal haul on the opening day on Friday, Molepo took his gold tally in the 17 years and over category to five with wins in the 200 metres breaststroke (championship record in 2 min 36.61 secs), 200 metres individual medley (championship record in 2:18.37), and 100 metres butterfly (1:03.12) adding to his 100 metres backstroke triumph yesterday.

He also collected silver in the 100 metres freestyle (56.91) and was a part of the SA team that won bronze in the 4 x 50 metres freestyle relay in the 15 years and over category.

Starting the day with two gold medals to her name, Jessica Bragason also made the most of competing against top African swim talent as she took gold in the timed finals of the 100 metres butterfly (1:09.24), 50 metres backstroke (32.64) and 100 metres freestyle (1:01.51). She played a key role in helping team-mates in Michelle Nieuwstad, Meghan Todd and Saskia Ramdhani) claim gold in the 4 x 50 metres freestyle relay (1:59.46) in the girls 15 years and over category.

In the 13 to 14 years category, Eastern Province’s Jeremy Ward (gold in the 100 metres butterfly and 200 metres individual medley) and bronze in the 50 metres backstroke and 100 metres freestyle, plus another bronze as part of the SA 4 x 50 metres freestyle relay, played his part in ensuring a night of medals for the Rainbow Nation team.

In congratulating the national swim team on their performances, Swimming SA CEO Shaun Adriaanse said: “Molepo’s performances prove that with proper coaching and a disciplined, committed approach from the swimmer, black swim talent is there waiting to be nurtured. The SA team must be commended for their performances at the CANA Zone 3 & 4 Championships to date which bodes well for the future for SA aquatics.”

SA medals on Day 02:

Boys: 13 to 14 years:
Gold:
200 metres breaststroke: Alaric Basson 2:45.03
100 metres butterfly: Jeremy Ward 1:06.02
200 metres individual medley: Jeremy Ward 2:31.18
Silver:
100 metres freestyle: Nizaam Kafaar 1:00.04
Bronze:
50 metres backstroke: Jeremy Ward 32.23
100 metres freestyle: Jeremy Ward 1:00.24
Boys: 14 years and under:
Bronze:
SA 4 x 50 metres freestyle relay (Nizaam Kafaar, Jeremy Ward, Alaric Basson, Ziyaad Isaacs) 1:52.15
Boys: 15 to 16 years:
Bronze:
50 metres backstroke: Jean van der Vyver 30.94
200 metres individual medley: Jean van der Vyver 2:27.55
Boys: 15 years and over:
Bronze:
SA 4 x 50 metres freestyle relay (Malesela Molepo, Jean van der Vyver, Darian Topkin, Morney van Schalkwyk) 1:43.97
Boys: 17 years and over:
Gold:
200 metres breaststroke: Malesela Molepo 2:36.61 (Championship record)
100 metres butterfly: Malesela Molepo 1:03.12
200 metres individual medley: Malesela Molopo 2:18.37 (Championship record)
Silver:
100 metres freestyle: Malesela Molepo 56.91

Girls: 13 to 14 years:
Silver:
50 metres backstroke: Kirstie Engelke 34.33
200 metres breaststroke: Kelleigh Nelson 2:57.90
100 metres butterfly: Kirstie Engelke 1:14.65
200 metres individual medley: Kelleigh Nelson 2:41.89
Girls: 14 years and under:
Silver:
SA 4 x 50 metres relay team (Kelleigh Nelson, Kirstie Engelke, Laeeqah Bulbulia, Ashleigh Samuels) 2:02.26
Girls: 15 to 16 years:
Gold:
200 metres individual medley: Michelle Nieuwstad 2:43.24
Silver:
50 metres backstroke: Meghan Todd 34.08
100 metres freestyle: Michelle Nieuwstad 1:05.16
Bronze:
100 metres butterfly: Lalecia Kotze 1:14.67
Girls: 15 years and over:
Gold:
SA 4 x 50 metres freestyle relay (Jessica Bragason, Michelle Nieuwstad, Meghan Todd, Saskia Ramdhani) 1:59.46
Girls: 17 years and over:
Gold:
100 metres butterfly: Jessica Bragason 1:09.24
50 metres backstroke: Jessica Bragason 32.74
100 metres freestyle: Jessica Bragason 1:01.51

Standings after Day 02:

Men: 1 Zimbabwe 1101, 2 Kenya Dolphins 1055, 3 Zambia 781, 4 Botswana 740, 5 SA 715 Women: 1 Kenya Dolphins 1040.5, 2 Botswana 856, 3 Zambia 736, 4 SA 732, 5 Malawi Swimmers 704.5 Combined standings: 1 Kenya Dolphins 2095.5, 2 Zimbabwe 1785.5, 3 Botswana 1596, 4 Zambia 1517, 5 SA 1447

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09 January 2010

Molepo makes waves of success as SA’s young swimmers get a good start in Kenya

Limpopo Province swimmer Malesela Molepo led the medal charge while KwaZulu Natal’s Jessica Bragason recorded a Championship record on the opening day of the CANA Zone 3 and 4 Aquatics Championships in Nairobi, Kenya today.

Competing in the boys 17 years and over category, Molepo powered his way to the gold medal in the 100 metres backstroke (1 min 05.79 secs) before claiming silver in the 50 metres breaststroke (32.28) and bronze in the 50 metres butterfly (28.09).

He joined team-mates Jean van der Vyver, Morney van Schalkwyk and Tendo Bosa) in SA’s 4 x 50 metres medley relay line-up which ended third in 1:59.02.
Bragason proved to be SA’s golden girl on the opening day as she recorded two wins in the 17 years and over age group. Her winning time of 1:10.38 in the 100 metres backstroke, was inside the previous CANA age group record time of 1:10.85, previously behind the name of another South African, Keri Plumstead.
In the 50 metres butterfly final, Bragason took gold in 30.32.
She was also a part of SA’s 4 x 50 metres medley relay team along with Meghan Todd, Lalecia Kotze and Saskia Ramdhani which finished third in the girls 15 years and over category in 2:17.81.

SA medals from Day 01:

Boys: 13 to 14 years:
Silver:
50 metres butterfly: Jeremy Ward 29.32
Boys: 14 years and under:
Silver:
4 x 50 metres medley relay: SA (Mischa Koopman, Alaric Basson, Jeremy Ward, Nizaam Kafaar) 2:05.72
Silver:
100 metres backstroke: Jean van der Vyver 1:06.42
Boys: 15 years and over:
Bronze:
4 x 50 metres medley relay: SA (Jean van der Vyver, Malesela Molepo, Morney van Schalkwyk, Tendo Bosa) 1:59.02
Boys: 17 years and over:
Gold:
100 metres backstroke: Malesela Molepo 1:05.79
Silver:
50 metres breaststroke: Malesela Molepo 32.28
Bronze:
50 metres butterfly: Malesela Molepo 28.09
Girls: 13 to 14 years:
Gold:
50 metres breaststroke: Kelleigh Nelson 37.22
100 metres backstroke: Kirstie Engelke 1:13.43
Bronze:
50 metres butterfly: Kelleigh Nelson 32.48
Girls 14 years and under:
Silver:
4 x 50 metres medley relay: SA (Kirstie Engelke, Rashieda Ahmed, Kelleigh Nelson, Laeeqah Bulbulia) 2:19.28
Bronze:
400 metres freestyle: Rashieda Ahmed 5:24.04
Girls: 15 years and over:
Gold:
400 metres freestyle: Michelle Nieuwstad 5:04.82
Bronze:
4 x 50 metres medley relay: SA (Meghan Todd, Lalecia Kotze, Saskia Ramdhani, Jessica Bragason) 2:17.81
Girls: 15 to 16 years:
Gold:
100 metres backstroke: Michelle Nieuwstad 1:13.65
Silver:
100 metres backstroke: Meghan Todd 1:13.82
Bronze:
50 metres butterfly: Lalecia Kotze 32.92
Girls: 17 years and over:
Gold:
100 metres backstroke: Jessica Bragason 1:10.38 (Championship record)
50 metres butterfly: Jessica Bragason 30.32

Points standings after Day 01:

Men: 1 Zimbabwe 482 pts, 2 Kenya Dolphins 443, 3 Botswana 351, 4 Zambia 314, 5 SA 301
Women: 1 Kenya Dolphins 437, 2 Botswana 391, 3 Zambia 337, 4 SA 330, 5 Malawi 319
Combined Points standings: 1 Kenya Dolphins 880, 2 Zimbabwe 785, 3 Botswana 742, 4 Zambia 651, 5 SA 631