The swimming competition saw swimmers from the Blackfin Swimming Club in Springs competing.
Bronwyn Cumming, from the swimming club, explains that it was held between the swaying palms and tropical gardens in the crystal waters of the Sun City Resort.
“No better weather could have been asked for as the sun was shining and it was warm,” she says.
For two of the Springs swimmers it was their first open water swim.
Ruzel Pitzer (10) and Nerine Lubbe (10) completed the 1 500m race in 45 minutes and 29 seconds and 45 minutes and 31 seconds respectively.
Alison Thutong (13), who is new to swimming, completed her first swim in 54 minutes.
This is the first open water swim of the season and it is a Midmar qualifying swim.
Clayton Cumming, coach of Blackfin Swimming Club, often gets asked, “Coach, what is a good Midmar time?” his response is simple, “Did you push yourself and give your best? If so, then you swam a good time!”
Bronwyn adds that swimming open water events are tricky in that the distance covered isn’t always that accurate.
“Plus one has the wind, water currents and weeds to contend with,” she says.
These things tend to take one off course and making your swim a bit longer than measured.
Results of the Blackfin swimmers:
Boys/men
- Byron Smit (10) 28 minutes and nine seconds
- Remo Venturi (12) 23 minutes and 31 seconds
- Chris Dravillas (14) 33 minutes and nine seconds
- Kieran Pinfold (14) 29 minutes and 20 seconds
- Mitchell Pritchard (16) 26 minutes and 48 seconds
- Malcolm Pritchard (40 + age group) 25 minutes and 47 seconds
- John Benadie (40 + age group) 40 minutes and 41 seconds
- Rudi Pretorius (30 + age group) 37 minutes and 53 seconds
Girls/women
- Ruzel Pitzer (10) 45 minutes and 29 seconds
- Nerine Lubbe (10) 45 minutes and 31 seconds
- Gemma Rees (13) 30 minutes and 28 seconds
- Allison Thathong (13) 54 minutes and 47 seconds
- Daniela Venturi (15) 29 minutes and 41 seconds
- Melanie Venturi (40 + age group) 37 minutes and 43 seconds
- Anthea Dravillas (40 + age group) 36 minutes and 53 seconds
- Lorraine Rautenbach (40 + age group) 40 minutes and eight seconds
