The annual Pointbreak Open Water swim takes place on Sunday, 8 March at the Lake Oanob Resort near Rehoboth. Swimmers can compete in a 2.1km or 700m swim and stand a chance to win N$15 000 worth of prizes. The event also offers the first 170 entries a T-shirt from popular surfing brand Billabong.
The Open Water swimming event has gained popularity over the years and attracted a record number of close to 200 swimmers last year.
Namibia’s top swimmers will participate as well as recreational swimmers and
children. The event will see swimmers from toddlers to masters competing in various age group categories.
Favourites for podium positions in the 2.1km female event are Heleni Stergiadis
and Gabrielle Liebenberg, while Mathew Reinhold and Paddy Murphy are the favourites in the 2.1km male division.
The Kiddies Fun event was very popular in last year’s Pointbreak swim as well as the Pupkewitz Jetty Mile. The aim of the kiddies event is to include younger and less experienced swimmers and to introduce young children at an early age to
open water swimming. Children can participate, along with their parents or
another competent swimmer, while any flotation device may be used to assist the child.
Caitlin Botha will participate for the second year in the 700m Pointbreak event.
Caitlin who was born with Cerebral Palsy is a dedicated swimmer who trains
five times a week and hopes to qualify for an International Paralympic event.
The 700m swim will kick off at 9h30; the 2.1km will start at 10h00; and the
Kiddies Fun event will take place at 11h00, to be followed by the prize giving at about will 11h30.
OTB Sport thanked Pointbreak for their generous sponsorship over the past several years. For more information visit www.otbsport.com.
