This Sunday sees the fifth round of the popular Weekend Post Ocean Racing Series on Nelson Mandela Bay’s Hobie Beach with over a thousand participants and spectators expected to pack the beach in the first of two race days being held during December.
The Five events on offer have attracted the attention of hundreds of local families and beach goers as swimmers, runners and walkers get their fitness fix for the weekend with all events kicking off at 9am on Sunday morning. Most popular event is proving to be the Dis-Chem 1km Ocean Swim which alone attracts close on 200 entrants whilst the Varsity College 5km Beach Run and Walk appeals to the fun runners or walkers who enjoy a welcome change from the weeks pounding of the tarmac. The ever increasingly popular Kingfisher FM Kids 1km Beach Run/walk is open to children 12 years and under, spoiling them with their kids oriented prize giving, finish drinks from Bonaqua and a R100 cash finishers jackpot for one lucky participant in their sports drinks bottle supplied by Crowhurst Bond Optometrists.
This Sundays Dis-Chem 2km Ocean Swim could also see a new record being set as Kouga swimming coach, Brenton Williams, attempts to cover the distance swimming butterfly only. Considered one of the most difficult swimming strokes for new swimmers, Butterfly surpisingly requires less energy than most once efficient technique has been developed.
“I’m not aware of any other swimmer who has completed a 2km butterfly Ocean Swim in South Africa so I’m very keen to give this an attempt. Having already completed a 1km race at the recent Cirrus Bio-ears swim challenge, my ultimate goal is to try and complete the 8km Bell Buoy Challenge doing Butterfly.” said Williams from his Marina Martinique training venue.
Over the past couple of years, the Ocean Racing Series has also become a key benefactor of the Reach for a Dream Foundation, realising over 10% of the dreams in the Eastern Cape each season. Series participants, their friends, families and companies help ensure that each race day at least one dream is realised for the Foundation. This Sunday’s dream will be realised just before the main prizegiving on the beach at around 10am.
Newcomers to the Series are encouraged to register online (www.oceanracingseries.com) ahead of Sunday’s event which also features the kids lucky draw prize giving, the Reach for a Dream presentation and the Main lucky draw prize giving on the beach from 10am. Finishers medals and Glacéau vitamin water are available for all finishers each race day with late entries being taken on the beach from 7.30am. For the spectators, Shark Rock Pier offers the best vantage point for the swim events whilst anywhere along the beach between Hobie Beach and Pollok Beach ensures visibility of the run route.
