More than 100 set to tackle PE Bellbuoy swim

A SURGE of last-minute entries will see more than 100 of South Africa’s bravest swimmers tackle the Eastern Cape’s richest open water swim tomorrow morning.

In what is billed as the toughest Indian Ocean swim on the planet, over 70% of the field have opted for the wetsuit category, while the remainder will attempt the ocean swim in a costume only.

The Jendamark Bellbuoy Challenge is a daunting 5km ocean swim, which sees participants going 2.5km straight out to sea to round the nautical bellbuoy directly off Pollok Beach.

An overall prize pool of R39 000 is just one of the drawcards for this epic swim which attracts swimmers from around the country and sees R4 500 going to the winning male and female swimmer in both the swimsuit and wetsuit categories.

While usually an easy swim out to the buoy, the currents around the area make for a very tough rounding and return to shore, which in some instances can see swimmers return times double that of their outgoing time.

Defending champions Danile Jones and Ian Venter are confirmed for this year’s event with Pretoria’s swimming legend, Gary Albertyn, lining up for his fifth Bellbuoy swim together with nine other swimmers who are in line for their five-year award.

Favourite to win the women’s race is Woodridge College pupil Amica de Jager, who has enjoyed an outstanding open water swimming season.

One of SA’s top surf lifesavers, she has excelled in open water swimming, bagging the Nelson Mandela Bay Aquatics 10km and 5km championship titles and the SPAR River Mile just two weeks ago.

The race starts at 8.30am from Pollok Beach, with the winners expected to complete the swim in about an hour.

Pre-race registration will take place at News Cafe Boardwalk at 6pm today.