GREAT MIX OF VISITORS IN FINAL AQUELLÉ OCEAN RACING SERIES RACE

Great mix of visitors in final aQuellé Ocean Racing Series race

Africa’s largest family beach event, the aQuellé Ocean Racing Series, ended off 2017 with round 5 on Sunday morning at PE's premier blue flag beach, Hobie Beach, with over 300 participants and many out-of-town visitors taking part.
 
Visiting Cape Town swimmer, Anthony Pearse who was in town with the Western Province team at the SA Schools water polo tournament, won the tough 3km swim ahead of PE's 16 year old Josh Tucker and Greg Hough. Sunday's swim events were made all the tougher  when one of the marker buoys drifted off-course making for a longer swim for all. Another visitor to excel on the weekend was 13 year old Chloe Le Roux, daughter of Springbok rugby legend Ollie Le Roux, who is currently on holiday in Jeffrey's Bay from Bloemfontein and came to PE to take part in the Series. Cape Town swimmer Annah Watkinson was 2nd with St Francis Bay swimmer Chane de Jager in 3rd place.

Keegan Cooke and Antonella Saporta both enjoyed their second win of the season in the 2km Ocean Swim event to extend their lead in the overall standings. Cooke was followed in by Jared Jordan and Carl Mangan whilst Michelle Enslin placed 2nd behind Saporta with Katherine Stutterheim in 3rd place.

In the 1km ocean swim it was Cole Craig who crossed the line for his 2nd win of the Season ahead of Kyle White and Joel Carlse which unbeaten St Francis Bay swimmer and national surf lifesaver Amica de Jager won ahead of Hannah Counihan and Lindi Terblanche. In his first ever ocean swim, 12 year old Ethan Duminy from Johannesburg won the 400m swim from Jason Every and Daniel Richter whilst Anseri Nel was the victor in the ladies 400m ahead of 7 year old Sienna Gous and Christel Koen.

The action on the beach was just as exciting with a 5km beach run and beach walk being contested together with a kids 1km beach run. Ruan Smalberger won his first Ocean Racing Series 5km Run of the season ahead of 10 year old Jayson Archibald and Masixole Sophangiso with 13 year old Keri-Lee Barnard winning the ladies run from Maritza Craig and Dawn Denysschen. Taryn Ferreira and Grobbie Grobler continued their winning ways in the 5km Beach Walk with another convincing win for both.

By far the most energetic and fun even was the Kids 1km Beach Run/Walk with around 100 kids taking part. Top 3 winners in the 6 years and under category were Caylem Kemp, Connor Kemp and Connor Raine with Kaitlyn Richter, Sophia Stutterheim and Jessica Richter for the girls. Boys 7 to 8 year winners were Oliver Stutterheim, Arch Rabe and Aiden Joubert whilst the girls were Isabella Mombery and Roxy Geldenhuys. On the podium for the Boys 9 to 10 year age group were winner Hugo Strydom, Tyron Delport and Luqmaan Coetzee with Enzokuhle Mhlontlo winning the girls from Danialle Rabie and Milla Delport. In the 11 to 12 age group Paul Strydom won the boys race ahead of Sinothando Ncapayi and Nathan Momberg with Abbie Mitchell winning the girls race ahead of Amber Joubert and Erin Johnson. 

Being the last race for the year, the lucky draws were boosted by an additional R5,000 worth of prizes with Sanet Owen winning a Mk2 wetsuit from local manufacturer BluSmooth. Next race in the Series will take place on Sunday 14th January. Full results and information on the website www.oceanracingseries.com.