Out-of-towners excel at family beach series
Visitors to the fortnightly aQuellé Ocean Racing Series are taking their fair share of podium medals amid tough competition in the events on offer at Port Elizabeth’s Premier Blue Flag Beach, Hobie Beach.
With 7 events on offer at Africa’s largest family beach event, the start of Season 12 has already seen some strong competition from those that travel to the city from out of town and Sunday was no exception. With over 500 participants on Sunday morning and some really great weather, the Series did the City proud as National sponsors aQuellé were represented by their Marketing and Production Managers Suzelle and Carl Stegen.
“It’s great to be associated with such a unique, wholesome family event hosted in Nelson Mandela Bay which continues to grow in popularity each season,” said aQuellé National Marketing Manager Suzelle Stegen who was in town for the weekend. “This, fun, affordable and healthy family activity is certainly a great way to ‘Let the Real Joy Flow’ and a great synergy with our brand. We are proud to be involved and associated with Zsports Events NPC and what they are doing in this region.”
In the 3km Ocean Swim, East London’s Deshaan Pillay won from Cape St Francis swimmer Hadyn Holmes with fellow St Francis Bay swimmer, Amica De Jager, winning the ladies 3km race. In the 2km swim, De Jager’s older sister, Chane, placed 2nd whilst another St Francis Bay triathlete, Vilem Horak, placed 3rd in the Men’s category. Holmes’ wife, Maria, completed the onslaught by finishing 3rd in the 1km Ocean Swim for ladies.
Sunday’s 5km Beach Walk was won by Juan Slabbert and Belinda Niemand with Heiri Schuck and Taryn Ferreira take the silver and Milé Vermaak and Gary Nass the bronze medals. In the 5km Beach Run this week’s gold medals went to Xolisa Tshona and Tara Sacke, silver to Vuyolwethu Mbanyana and Sanet Owen with bronze to Estian Hess and Dawn Denysschen. The 400m swim is starting to attract an increasing number of nipper lifesavers with round 2 winners being Liam Liston and Tiara Finnis whilst Dane Iverson and Jodi Wilson placed 2nd with Connor Craig and Roxy Camp in 3rd place. The most popular event on the morning was the 1km Ocean Swim which was won by Ian Venter and Kirsten Marriott with Credence Pattinson and Amy Mardon in 2nd place and Byron Lockett and Maria Holmes in 3rd. The 2km Ocean Swim saw Daniel Jones and Paige Black winning from Slater Black and Chane de Jager with Vilem Horak and Liza Kingston in 3rd place while the 3km Ocean Swim saw Deshaan Pillay and Amica de Jager winning from Haydn Holmes and Hannah Haswell with Kevin Richards and Idelette Olivier taking the bronze medals.
With just under 100 children between the ages and 1 year and 12 years taking part, the Kids 1km Beach Run is always a popular event on the morning with an equally exciting lucky draw prizegiving which follows. In the 6 years and under age group, the top 3 medals in the boys category went to Kyle Rosser ,Joshua Marais and Jacques Van Wyk and for the girls it was Kayleigh Marais, Kaitlyn Richter, Sarah-Ann Steven. In the 7 to 8 year category the first 3 across the line in the boys division were Aiden Joubert, Liam Marais, Therciano Williams and for the girls Troy Biddulph, Jessi Whitebooi and Ava Iverson. In the 9 to 10 age group, top 3 finishers for boys was Daniel Richter, Matthew Froneman and Kai Whitaker and for the girls, Abbie Mitchell, Hannah Charles and Amber Joubert. In the 11 to 12 year category top 3 finishers were Carl Van Der Spuy, Cade Hoffmann and Connor Roff whilst the girls had Kerri-Lee Barnard, Jessica Orrey and Ilze Hattingh.
The aQuellé Ocean Racing Series takes place on mostly alternate Sunday morning’s at Hobie Beach starting at 9am and is open to all. Online registration is highly recommended and is possible on www.oceanracingseries.com. Next event takes place on Sunday 13th November.