Michael Zoetmulder is gearing up for the 87th anniversary of the Redhouse River Mile on February 27th. Africa’s oldest open water swimming event started in 1924 and only skipped the war years (1941-45) and 1971 when floods prevented the swim.

1,000 participants take to the waters each year with over R27,000 (US$3,719) in prize money and four Jonway motor cycles as random giveaways.

Michael also announced the 8K Nelson Mandela Bay Bell Buoy Challenge for April 23rd in Nelson Mandela Bay’s in Port Elizabeth, South Africa with over R80,000 (US$11,000).

World champions Petar Stoychev (Bulgaria) and Melissa Gorman (Australia) are the defending champions in the calm Indian Ocean waters of Algoa Bay, held one week after the South African National open water championships, also held in Nelson Mandela Bay.

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