Africa’s largest family beach event returns to Port Elizabeth

The popular aQuellé Ocean Racing Series returns to Hobie Beach this Sunday morning for the second half of season 12 which sees 5 race days taking place between Sunday 8th January and Sunday 26th March. Unique to Nelson Mandela Bay, the Series offers 7 simultaneously run events and over R20,000 worth of lucky draw prizes and medals each race day.

On each of the Sunday mornings which the Series is hosted at Hobie Beach, there are 4 swim events (400m, 1km, 2km and 3km distances) and 3 beach events (5km run, 5km walk and Kids 12 years and under 1km beach run), all starting at 9am from alongside Shark Rock pier.

At this halfway point within the Series, former triple Springbok Kevin Richards leads the overall standings in the 3km swim. At 52, Richards has made a welcome return back to swimming after returning from the UK several years ago and manages a very popular swim squad and wetsuit brand. Young EP swimmer Hannah Haswell leads the overall standings for the Ladies 3km race whilst undefeated Daniel Jones looks to retain his overall title in the 2km swim this season with 5 wins from 5 races so far. Liza Kingston heads up the ladies 2km race whilst Kirsten Marriott has made it 5 out of 5 for the ladies 1km swim to lead the ladies section alongside men’s champion Ian Venter.

Jodi Wilson and Connor Craig are the Series leaders of the newly introduced 400m swim after the 5 rounds whilst 11 year old Rachel Venter heads the ladies 5km Beach Run with Xolisa Tshona in the Men’s Run category. Partners Taryn Ferreira and Juan Slabbert currently lead the 5km Beach Run.

In the popular children’s 1km beach run for children 12 years and under, the current overall Series leaders are; Jamie Aukett Kayleigh Marais (6 yrs and under), Luqmaan Coetzee Jessi Whitebooi (7-8yrs), Daniel Richter Hannah Charles (9-10 yrs), Connor Roff Kerri-Lee Barnard (11-12 yrs).

Registration for Sunday’s races are available on race day from the grass section in front of the Hobie Club from 7.30am with late entries accepted till 08h45.