Ray and Boby-Jo in Oanob wins

ENTHUSIASTIC participants who competed at the annual Pointbreak Open-Water Swim at the Oanob Dam at the weekend were rewarded with sunny skies and clear, warm water.

There were more than 80 entrants for the open-water swim, and the field was a mix of recreational and Namibia’s best swimmers.
The Namibia Swimming Academy (NSA) dominated the race with six of the top ten finishers of the 2.1-kilometre swim.
The overall champion and winner of the elite male category was Alex Ray (NSA) who competed in the 13-30 age group.
He completed the 2,1-km swim in a time of 26.05 minutes, while Byron Briedenhann (also NSA) ended second overall in 27.05 minutes.
Jonay Briedenhann (NSA) was overall third and the first female elite, in 28.02 minutes. Stephanus Van Zyl (NSA) took overall fourth place in 28.19 minutes.
The 47-year-old Paddy Murphy, who competed in the individual class, was placed fifth overall in 29.21 minutes and first in the male category for 31+ years.
The 31+ years female category was won by Bobby-Jo Bassingthwaighte in 35.41 minutes.
Bobby-Jo, the only Namibian ever to have swum the English Channel, was followed by top Namibian triathletes Zoe Mitchell and Charmaine Shannon.
The category female 13 years and under was won by Micaela Cloete (NSA) in a time of 33.34 minutes.
The overall winner of the 700m swim, and winner of the female 13 years and under, was Christine Briedenhann (NSA) in a time of 10.12 minutes.
The event organisers, Otb Sport, said they were delighted with the turnout and to see young and old participating.
They expect the event to grow from strength to strength as open-water swimming catches people’s imagination.
Tony Edmunds of Pointbreak said they were pleased with the turnout, the spirit and the calibre of the participants on the day.
He said Pointbreak would remain involved in the sponsorship of the event as they wished to contribute to sport because it promotes a healthy and a balanced approach to life.
‘The event exhibits many of the characteristics with which Pointbreak associates itself, such as excellence, endurance, zest for life, balance and an enjoyment of the beautiful natural environment which we have on our doorstep,’ said Edmunds.