THE Kouga festive season ended on a high note, with more than 200 swimmers taking to the canals of Marina Martinique in Jeffreys Bay on December 30 for the annual HighTech Gregfor PE Marina Mile.
Greeted by warm water and sunny skies, the Double Mile was the first event to take to the water – with a lead group of elite swimmers forming almost immediately with both the top male and female swimmer jostling for position throughout the race.
Reino von Wielligh crossed the finish line first in 36 minutes and 30 seconds, followed by Rossouw Venter with a close 36 minutes and 37 seconds. Kyle White finished third.
In the women’s race, Catherine van Rensburg (36:43) managed to outsprint Amica de Jager (36:97) to claim gold, while Christin Mundell came third.
The Half Mile was the next event to take to the saltwater canals and the top three men were Connor Barnardo, Connor Jay and JC Oosthuizen.
The top three women finishers were Cailin Rademakers, Kerri-Lee Barnard and Kate Tinley.
Former Springbok rugby player, Ollie le Roux, entered the Half Mile – which encourages participation in the Marina Mile – with his daughter, Lisa, who tackled the swim for the first time.
Not even the limited number of spectators due to strict COVID-19 regulations could deter the little swimmers from giving their all in the Bank-to-Bank swim.
Jeffreys Bay swimmer, Mia Jordaan, claimed victory in the 10-year-and-under category for girls, with Ani Swarts winning the seven-to-eight-year category.
Lisa van Heerden had to dig deep to win the six-year-and-under category.
The 10-year-and-under category for boys was a tightly contested race and ended in an open water sprint between Waldo Fritz, who won, followed closely by Niel Coetzee and local swimmer, Rio Jacobs.
Jeffreys Bay swimmer, Koda Jacobs, swam strongly to win the seven-to-eight-year category, while Luke Pappas won the six-years-and-under division.
The premier event of the morning – the Marina Mile – was the last event to take place with a slight wind picking up.
Von Wielligh crossed the finish line first (18:02) – after winning the Double Mile earlier the day.
Rossouw Venter (18:20) and Christian Davidson (18:23) came second and third respectively.
In the women’s Mile, defending title holder and St Francis Bay resident, Amica de Jager, won the race in a time of 18:58 from Catherine van Rensburg (19:04), with Christin Mundell coming third (19:09).
“I love the Marina Mile and it’s definitely one of my favourite events,” said De Jager after her victory.
“Marina Martinique is the best open water swim venue in South Africa.”
“The Marina Mile takes place on December 30 every year and it was the best supported open water swim event in 2021,” said event organiser, Mike Zoetmulder.
“COVID-19 regulations made running events difficult during the year and we are very happy we could end the Jeffreys Bay holiday season on a high note with a well-supported Marina Mile.”
The 2021 Marina Mile was sponsored by HighTech Gregfor PE and supported by Aquelle, Nicholas Melck and Zbrands.
