Ebotse Mile makes a welcome return

The Ebotse Mile, organised by Swim4Life, returned to the East Rand Speedboat Club (ERSC), at Rynfield Dam, for the first time in a few years on Sunday, January 15.

Women open water swimmers take on the 1.65km at the Ebotse Mile, on Sunday.

The event was the East Rand seeding event for this year’s Midmar Mile, the world’s largest open water swim, which takes place on February 11 and 12.

According to race organiser Willie Voster the field was smaller than expected, but it was still a good turnout.

“Now that the word is out that the event is back we hope that it will continue to grow,” he said.

With regards to the condition of the water in Rynfield Dam for the swim, Voster said: “The water has been fantastically clean; as clean as you can expect from a dam in a suburban area.

“Ebotse Golf and Country Estate has done a lot to control the spillages that used to happen in the past.”

He praised the ERSC for providing a wonderful facility.

“It is one of the best venues for open water swimming; it’s what its made for.

“We can start deep and finish deep, and swimmers don’t have to run to get out into the water.

“Also, spectators can see what is happening as the participants swim right in front of them.

The next Midmar Mile seeding event takes place at the Lake Heritage Water Festival, at Cradle Moon Lakeside Lodge (formerly known as Heia Safari Ranch).

Voster encouraged all swimmers to also make their way to Homestead Dam for the Gauteng Open Water Swimming Challenge, organised by Gauteng Aquatics, at the Benoni Sailing Club on January 28 and 29.

Visit www.benonicitytimes.co.za for the event times.

“The Gauteng Open Water Swimming Challenge is open to the public. Anybody can swim the events if they are capable of it. You do not have to be registered with a club.”

Voster added that open water swimming is a fantastic sport as it is casual and family orientated, but still highly competitive.

Airfield resident and visually impaired swimmer Alberta “Beppie” Summersgill is seen in the water at Rynfield Dam during the 1.65km swim at the Ebotse Mile, on Sunday. She placed first in the visually impaired category at 2016’s Midmar Mile.

The Ebotse Mile results are:

• Women 12 and over 3km: 1 Stephanie Houtman 46.26, 2 Mieke van Zyl 46.28, 3 Jessica Smit 48.40.

• Men 12 and over 3km: Abdul Railoun 39.54, 2 Armand Nortje 40.00, 3 Kyle Letley 42.41.

• Women 13 and under 1.65km: 1 Kerrin Burges 29.40, 2 Courtney Whitfield 31.29, 3 Bianca Janeke 33.51.

• Women 31 and over 1.65km: 1 Carol Mason 27.04, 2 Justine Johnson 27.11, 3 Nicola Wessels 29.30.

• Men 13 and under 1.65km: 1 Orin Rocha 27.06, 2 Joshua Hinckley 27.13, 3 Byron Smit 27.27.

• Men 31 and over 1.65km: 1 Robin Saggers 24.42, 2 Greig Bannantyne 24.46, 3 Virgili Giacomo 26.28.

• Women 14 to 30 1.65km: 1 Nicole Hepplewhite 24.51, 2 Kieryn Letley 25.25, 3 Charlize Engelbrecht 25.27.

• Men 14 to 30 1.65km: 1 Abdul Railoun 20.59, 2 Armand Nortje 21.00, 3 Kyle Letley 21.11.

Protea open water swimmer Abdul Railoun exits the water having placed first in the men’s 3km swim at Sunday’s Ebotse Mile.

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