Courtesy of Brenton Williams, phts by Dirk Erasmus, Marina Martinique, South Africa.

33 swimmers entered the 13°C (55°F) water of the JBay Winterfest Cold Water Swim Classic which was held yesterday at Marina Martinique.

The Cold Water Classic, presented by Nicholas Melck, lived up to its reputation of being the most extreme swim in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa.

Nine of the 32 finishers competed without wetsuits.

8-year-old Issataya Bredell and her 10-year-old sister Abriella completed the Mile and the Triple Mile, respectively. “The water was extremely cold but I swam with my coach Brenton Williams and we were swimming from one landmark to the next until I finished the Mile,” said Issataya.

“The organisers then took me into the medical tent where there were blankets and heaters and hot chocolate and it didn’t take long to warm up.”

19-year-old Amy Erasmus won the Women’s Mile with Ottie Marias winning the Men’s Mile. Defending Cold Water Classic Triple Mile champion Rebecca Newman defended her title. “The Cold Water Classic is my favourite swim event and conditions were tough with the strong winds and cloudy and rainy conditions with an air temperature of 9°C, but I just love the challenge.”

The young Abriella finished the Triple Mile in 1 hour 51 minutes while Dieter Marais was the winner of the Men’s Triple Mile. Abriella became the youngest swimmer to complete the Triple Mile which is an official qualifying swim for the Robben Island crossing. “Things got really tough on the third lap as my goggles were too tight and they were hurting my eye, which was quite swollen after the swim.

However, there were a lot of people encouraging me and they helped me to dig deep and complete the swim.”

1-mile Bioprene Cold Water Classic Female Results:
1 Amy Erasmus 36:14.2
2 Joy Van Der Walt 36:19.4
3 Issataya Bredell 46:34.8

1-mile Bioprene Cold Water Classic Male Results:
1 Ottie Marais 45:43.1
2 Johannes Robbertse 45:54.0

2-mile Bioprene Cold Water Classic Male Results:
1 Craig Sampson 1:17:08.9

3-mile Bioprene Cold Water Classic Female Results:
1 Rebecca Newman 1:22:10.6
2 Abriella Bredell 1:51:56.7

3-mile Bioprene Cold Water Classic Male Results:
1 Dieter Marais 1:39:14.6

1-mile Neoprene Cold Water Classic Female Results:
1 Billie Mcnaughton 32:30.5
2 Katrien De Wet 33:14.7
3 Susan Derbyshire 33:20.7
4 Briggetta Mey 34:10.8
5 Val Orton 45:32.5
6 Donne Dickinson 47:41.8
7 Yolandi Wolstenholme 1:17:12.4
8 Mia Wolstenholme 1:17:19.3

1-mile Neoprene Cold Water Classic Male Results:
1 Kenneth Pattinson 26:51.5
2 Jared Cassidy 27:57.4
3 Murray Bailes 34:02.6
4 Xavier Janse Van Rensburg 41:28.9

2-mile Neoprene Cold Water Classic Female Results:
1 Shaelyn Walker 55:59.0
2 Michelle Mortimer 1:10:30.3

2-mile Neoprene Cold Water Classic Male Results:
1 Eben Haarhoff 49:05.6
2 Jaco Johan Potgieter 1:11:13.8
3 Sven Wusthoff Port Elizabeth 1:13:19.3
4 John Abbott Port Elizabeth 1:26:50.7

3-mile Neoprene Cold Water Classic Female Results:
1 Michelle Barnett 1:49:48.8
2 Katy Hofmeyr Pe 1:54:43.6

3-mile Neoprene Cold Water Classic Male Results:
1 Ralph West 1:21:03.5
2 Greg Hough 1:31:09.7
3 Anton Kerdey 1:35:45.7

Copyright © 2008-2017 by World Open Water Swimming Association