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GALLERY: Swimmers brave the icy cold at annual open water challenge

The Newcastle Swimming and Lifesaving Club accommodated swimmers from across the country.

February 26, 2020

Tersia Gopi 1 minute read

20 swimmers take part in the 3 000 metre swim.

Swimmers leaped into open water at the 35th annual Chelmsford Challenge on Sunday.

At the crack of dawn under overcast skies, the Ntshingwayo/Chelmsford Dam welcomed a great number of participants and spectators to its banks. By 8am, the first swimming race took place, which included 20 male and female swimmers competing in the three kilometre event.

The host, Newcastle Swimming and Lifesaving Club, accommodated swimmers from across the country. As the wind picked up, the waters became rough and lifeguards were on standby, swimming on surfboards alongside participants.

Abigail Peters, who was the first female to complete the 3 000 metre swim, described the water as ‘choppy’ when she emerged and engaged in a short interview with announcer, Johan Pieters. Another swimmer said the waters ‘sounded like the ocean’.

The first male, Reino von Wielligh, completed the 3 000 metre event in 33 minutes and 37 seconds.

Other swimming categories included a 1 000 metre swim for men and women, and a 500 metre fun swim. Each competitor received a medal on completion of the race and cash prizes were awarded to overall winners.

For the first time, Ferrum High School hosted a triathlon on the day, with its learners energetically eager to complete each obstacle.

The results for the top five in each category were as follows:

3 000 metre men and women:
1. Reino von Wielligh – 33:37
2. Juan-Jacques van der Hoogen – 37:39
3. Abigail Peters – 44:12
4. Thomas Rich – 44:18
5. Megan Redelinghuys – 44:21

1 000 metre men’s swim:
1. Reino von Wielligh – 10:59
2. Juan-Jacques van der Hoogen – 12:22
3. Dirk Grobler – 14:28
4. Justin van Vuuren – 14:32
5. Thomas Rich – 15:07

1 000 metre women’s swim:
1. Emma Branco-Lizen – 14:42
2. Megan Redelinghuys – 14:50
3. Sian Redelinghuys – 16:27
4. Amy Fraser – 16:32
5. Amy Gerber – 17:19

For the full list of results, visit www.swimnewcastle.co.za