The first event was the five-kilometre girls open water swim. The competing swimmers took to the water with intent. The four swimmers competing in this gruelling event were Thelise Saunders, Megan de Wet, Nadia Volschenk and Kathleen Buchanan.

The course covered three physically demanding laps, which required the swimmers to maintain their composure, breathe deeply and keep their strokes constant.

The eventual winner, Saunders, partnered closely with Jacey Bekker who competed in the boys’ event, matching his speed. The strategy worked out well as the Uniswim competitor swam into the lead, scuppering the competition in a time of 1:07:45.

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She was followed by De Wet from Midwit Swimming Club, who reached the finish line in 1:11:21, almost four minutes later.

The boys’ five kilometre event proceeded without incident, and the fatigue was beginning to show each time the swimmers reached the buoys. It took every breath of air and willpower to keep pushing until they completed the distance.

Reece Zowitsky and Matthew Andrew, who are both attached to the Midwit Swimming Club, clinched first and second place respectively. Zowitsky managed the finish in a time of 1:02:29, while Andrew completed in a time of 1:04:48.

Saunders competed in the third event, which was swum over three kilometres in a remarkable display of endurance and replicated her feat in the first swim by claiming first place.

Saunders sealed her second win in a time of 42:43:96, with Michele Esterhuizen from Curro Swimming Academy following behind her with a time of 45:57:54.

Zowitsky also claimed a double after beating everyone to the finish in the day’s fourth event, swimming to the lead in a time of 40:39:48.

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The day proved to be test of endurance for the 26 swimmers who gave their all in a demanding first leg in preparation for the next Open Swim meet to be held at Longmere Dam from November 2 to 3.

The open swim offers a fun, relaxing atmosphere for families and hosts social swimming events in the 100, 400 and 500 metre distances. The official events are swum over the 10, five and three-kilometre distances.