Open Water Swimming - News
20
October 2009
Ocean Series draws record entry
Participation in the second leg of the fifth Axxess DSL Ocean Racing
Series drew record participation on Sunday when more than 630 entrants
competed in one of the three disciplines in blustery, overcast
conditions on Hobie Beach in Port
Elizabeth.
Adam Stevenson and Jessica Roux took the line honours in the SPAR 1km
Ocean Swim with Giovanni Falco and Richard von Wildemann placing second
and third in the men’s category and Kaleigh Graham and Lauren Billson
completing the podium in the ladies category.
In the Crocs 2km Ocean Swim, Lawrence van Lingen out-sprinted Michael
Marais for the honours with Byron Lockett placing third. Jessica Roux
won the ladies race from Tammy Geyer and Rebecca Newman.
According to race organizer Michael Zoetmulder from Zports, the
organisers are inundated with entrants for this season’s series.
“The momentum and enthusiasm almost seem unstoppable and not even
blustery weather at the first two legs of the race could keep people
away.”
He says since people can choose between ocean swimming, paddling and a
beach run or walk, the event caters for everybody. “It truly has become
one of the continent’s premier lifestyle events.”
In the Boardwalk Ocean Paddle, Marc Economou finished ahead of Donovan
Mansfield with Ernst Linder in third place whilst Inge Economou took the
ladies race from Ruth Fox and Antoinette Scholtz.
The Beachfront Lodges 5km Beach Run/Walk saw a huge entry with Marinus
Johnson taking top honours from Ivan Ambraal and Roberltuis Matthys. In
the ladies category, Simone Paine won Ursula Kuhn and Camryn Riddle.
Johann Dreyer from Beachfront Lodges says the overwhelming support for
the event shows the need for an event of this nature and that flagship
events, like the Ocean Racing Series, go a long way in showcasing the
city as the water sport capitol of Africa.
According to Zoetmulder, seven boys from the Reach for a Dream Teenager
Club also took part in the Beachfront Lodges 5km Beach Run/Walk. “It is
important that we harvest a love for sport from a young age. We have
several very successful development programmes built into the series.”
Zoetmulder says they realise a Reach for a Dream child’s dream at each
of the Axxess DSL Ocean Racing Series legs and on the weekend it was
Junele from Arcadia’s turn. “Since people in our region are extremely
charitable, the series is the ideal platform to raise funds in order to
make these children’s dreams come true.”
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Upcoming Events
| 29 Nov | Ocean Racing Series Race 5 |
| 05 Dec | W P Open Water Championships |
| 13 Dec | Ocean Racing Series Race 5 |
| 23 Dec | 1,3 km EP Swim Series Race 3 |
| 27 Dec | Sabrina Love Challenge - Plett Bay |
| EP Swim Series Race 2 - 1km, 3km & 5km |
| Ocean Racing Series Race 4 |
| Ocean Racing Series Race 3 |
| EP Swim Series Race 1 - 1km, 3km & 5km |
| Ocean Racing Series Race 2 |
| Ocean Racing Series Race 1 |
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