ORS Final this weekend

This Sunday’s 10th and final round of the popular aQuellé Ocean Racing Series for Season XI brings the summer open water swimming and beach events calendar to a close. This season started in early October 2015 and ends after 10 race days dogged by not too many favourable weather and numerous clashes with other high profile water sport events. Despite this, the event which is unique to Nelson Mandela Bay, remains Africa’s largest family beach event having already seen just over 3,500 entries this season.

Sunday’s finale includes the usual 6 events at Hobie Beach (1km, 2km 3km ocean swims, 5km Beach Run and Beach Walk and the Kids 1km Beach Run). The Kids round 10 prize giving will take place on the beach at 10am and then everyone moves to the Boardwalk for the Final Series prize giving function and the adults Round 10 prizes and lucky draw prizes. This prize giving will take place between 11am and 1pm at News Cafe.

One of the successes coming out of the Series this year has been the well supported Masakhane Future Stars program which is backed by Pagden’s Attorneys, Willard Batteries and Caltex Eastern Cape. With just under 100 PDI’s included in the program and given the opportunity each race day to take part in the Series and other key sports events in the city, it’s been terrific to see their growth. One such individual from the program, 12 year old Zinadine Jonas, currently leads the 13 and under category in the 1km swim with 2 wins, a 2nd place and a 4th placing this season. Others in the running for Series honours in the 13 and under age group category include Heath Broughton and Daniel Holmes (Boys 1km); Anja Baard and Liebe Venter (Girls 1km swim); Juan Baard, Daniel Barnardt and Anele Bhrukhane (Boys 5km Beach Run); Tara Sacke and Julia Cohen (girls 5km Beach Run).

In the 1km Ocean Swim age groups, Ant Daniels has secured enough points in the 40 to 49 year age group to claim the title whilst Susan Derbyshire and Natalie Ogden will fight it out this Sunday for honours in the Ladies Category. Rolf Kichhofel has secured the 50 to 59 years age group in the Men’s division whilst Val Millen secures the ladies title as has 70 year old Elsa Craig in the 60 years and older category with Michael Fairall having secured a full house of wins to secure the Men’s title.

In the 2km Ocean Swim, 40-49 years Men’s title will go to Jason Kruger whilst Michelle Barnett and Michelle Elfick will have to wait for Sundays result to determine the winner; the 50-59yrs Men’s title goes Pietro Benini if he swims on Sunday whilst Denise Bosman has secure the ladies title with a full house of wins in all races this season. In the very competitive 60 years and over category both Conal Turner and Chris Viljoen are on equal points going into the final round whilst Trevlyn Lotz has secured the ladies title.

In the 3km Ocean Swim, Greg Tucker and Jenny Posts win the 40-49yrs title, Stanford Slabbert and Ralph West will tussle for the 50-59yr Men’s crown whilst Suzi Du Plessis also has a full house of wins to take the ladies title title whilst Helder de Almeida E Silva has secured the 60 years and over Men’s title. In the 5km Beach Walk, Milé Vermaak takes the 40 to 49 years title with Andrew Armstrong and Belinda Niemand winning the 50 to 50 years titles whilst unbeaten Grobbie Grobler wins the 60 years and over title.
In the 5km Beach Run age groups, unbeaten Wayne Mitchell and Natalee Barnard take the 40-49yrs titles, Glenn Harris and Laura Best (if she races on Sunday) the 50-59yrs whilst Rolf Mentzel retains his 60yrs and over age group title.

All events start from 9am on Sunday morning with late registration open from 7.30am and newcomers are welcome.