Over 30 long-distance swimmers braved the winter chill to swim around the CR Swart Dam during the Benoni Open Water Swimming (BOWS) Polar Swimming event on June 22.
They help the event to celebrate the winter solstice, observed on June 20, marking the official start of the astronomical winter in the Southern Hemisphere.
The participants swam in 10.7°C water and 3°C ambient temperature. The longest distance achieved on the day was 2 000m.
All participants received spot prizes donated by aQuelle, Finnes Wines, HOT 1027 and Fit4Rhino.
The BOWS group’s Tommy Gibson explained that the event was a success, and their objective was to promote swimming in natural water.
“The BOWS group has swam at CR Swart Dam incident- free for four years, aiming to promote open water swimming,” Gibson said.
“Our membership comprises complete novices to those who have completed the Robben Island and False Bay crossings, as well as triathletes, Ironman and various other long-distance events like the Midmar Mile.”
Some of the group’s members include Benonian Christine Roos and Portia Mokoena of Boksburg.
Roos became another of only 15 people to swim the False Bay Crossing last November. She completed the 33km distance in 11:24:52. In 2021, she also completed the Robben Island Crossing.
Mokoena became the first black woman to do the Robben Island Crossing in March, swimming the 7.4km from the island to Blouberg in 03:43:16.
“The award-winning Ebotse Golf and Country Estate facilitates our swims. The estate manages and monitors the water quality, while BOWS ensures safety protocols are adhered to,” said Gibson.
“We hope to make the polar swim an annual event.”
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