Just over 100 swimmers braved the adverse weather conditions in Round 1 of the Metsi Open Water Swim series which was held at Marina Martinique in Jeffreys Bay on Sunday.
All eyes were on the 5 K event, as sponsor Metsi Water Solutions have put up R 6 000 prize money in this Eastern Province Aquatics sanctioned swim.
Chris Reid backed up his win in the 2012 Marina Mile with a solid victory in his first ever 5 K swim and stated his claim as a rising star in South African open water swimming circles.
Reid won the race in 1:02:30 from Byron Lockett (1:03:48). Lockett is a former South African open water squad member and is on the comeback trail in the longer distance swims.
Daniel Jones finished third in 1:04:44.
Kirsten Marriott had a great swim in the women’s 5K event and won the swim in 1:09:26 from Olympian Jessica Roux (1:10:03). Genna Greevelink finished 3rd in 1:14:13
JBay local JC Van Wyk was the first master swimmer home with Duncan Edwards and Ian Geddes taking the other podium places.
“There was quite a bit of surface chop out there but it was a great swim,” said Chris Reid following his victory. “I am looking forward to Round 2 in November.”
14 swimmers posted national qualifying times in the 3 K swim, which was won by Jamie-Lee Engelke and Joshua Bellairs respectively.
PJ Duffy and Tracy Gous were the first two masters’ swimmers to finish.
Duffy backed this effort up with a win in the 1 K event with Jade Grobbelaar winning the women’s division.
The Van Wyk family capped off a fine weekend of swimming when Roland took silver in the 500m swim and younger brother Christiaan finished the gruelling bank to bank swim for the little swimmers (u/8 years).
Noah de Swart also had a great bank to bank swim, as did Abriella and Isattayah Bredell in their first ever open water swims.
Round 2 of the Metsi Open Water Swim Series will take place at Marina Martinique on 24 November. Entries will open shortly on www.swimmingplus.com
Full results can also be found at www.swimmingplus.com
