Fifteen extreme swimmers set to make history in Speedo Ice Swim Africa
Thursday, 07 July 2011 14:46
Up to 15 athletes are set to undertake one of the coldest distance swims in the world when they plunge into an icy dam in Fraserburg, near Sutherland, Northern Cape, in mid winter for the second ever Speedo Ice Swim Africa: www.speedoiceswim.co.za
Wearing only Speedo costumes, swimming caps and goggles, the 15 extreme cold water specialists will attempt a mile (1.6km) in a water temperature expected at an excruciating 5°C or possibly lower. About 20 other swimmers will attempt an Endurance Swim — 600m in the same temperature.
The event takes place on Saturday, July 23 in bone-chilling and remote Nuwedam, Fraserburg – one of the coldest regions in Africa.
This is the second ever Speedo Ice Swim Africa in which those who complete a mile qualify for membership of the International Ice Swimming Association (IISA). The event affords the endurance swimmers the opportunity to test their mettle at extreme temperatures and to potentially qualify for the mile attempt in future.
In July 2010, six swimmers successfully completed the Ice Swim and 19 others the endurance swim at the inaugural event in a dam temperature of 4°C and an air temperature of 12°C.
All participants are obliged to be physically fit and to undergo a medical check-up before the event. To prepare their bodies for the cold, they will undertake “ice baths” supplied by I&J and hosted at the V&A Waterfront on 15 & 16 July. They will also undertake acclimatization swims at Cape Town’s Silvermine Dam in a water temperature of about 9°C.
During the swim at Nuwedam, they will be closely monitored by lifeguards and treated afterwards in a specialised medical facility staffed by doctors and nurses and set up by Mediclinic on site.
Swimmers said last year that the recovery and rewarming process – which in certain cases took up to an hour after some core body temperatures dropped to as low as 30° - was as agonizing as the swim. But all participants were unanimous in their elation at having completed the challenge.
Fraserburg is a five-hour drive from Cape Town and is one of the most remote, authentic, well preserved and coldest towns in the Karoo. The winter air temperature has been known to plummet as low as minus 10°C at night in this region. The Speedo Ice Swim Africa raises funds for community projects in Fraserburg, including Destiny Academy, a new school run by locals Ronel and Herman le Roux.
The event is the brainchild of Ram Barkai, chairman of the IISA and holder of a Guinness World Record for the world’s most southerly swim (a kilometre in an icy lake, 1°C, in Antarctica in early 2008). It is sponsored by Speedo SA whose brand president, Stuart Hopwood, said it was one of the most unique events of its kind in the world and tested to the limits both the mental and physical abilities of extreme swimmers.
“This event pushes the envelope to the outer extremes and ultimately we are hosting it not only to break new ground in swimming, but to benefit the local Fraserburg community too,” said Hopwood.
Barkai, who completed the mile swim in 2010, said the key to succeeding was mental: “It’s all in the mind. Those who succeeded at this event last year proved that they could achieve what many thought was impossible. I urge those who will attempt the ice swim this year to respect the challenge and to prepare both physically and mentally.”
Ronel le Roux, owner Fraserburg’s Die Kliphuis Country Inn, said the ice swim was an annual boost to tourism and the local economy. “The whole town is behind this event and very excited to be hosting it again. We are also all extremely grateful for the investment in community projects which this event brings,” she said.
For further details: contact:
- Event organizers: Leap Communications on 021 785 3683
- Speedo: Nicola Heimann on 082 527 6654
- Fraserburg: Ronel Le Roux on 083 227 2407.
For a range of high res pics, click here
Issued by:
Leap Communications
021 785 3683
083 463 1827
www.leapcommunications.co.za
www.speedoiceswim.co.za
Nuwedam Temperature
8am, 19 July: 4 °C
Directions & Maps
Click on images to enlarge
For a Google map and route directions, click here
Note: from Cape Town there are two routes to Fraserburg – either through Sutherland or to Leeu-Gamka, then left on the R353.
The Leeu-Gamka route is strongly recommended.
Entry Criteria
Entry fees:
- Ice Swim – R1000
- Endurance Swim – R600
Ice Swimmers who successfully complete the mile will qualify for membership of the IISA and receive the prestigious IISA Red Jacket
All swimmers will receive a Speedo goodie bag.
Paid entry secures the application. Refunds (minus 10% admin fee) possible only until 18 July. Thereafter at IISA management’s discretion.
Entries are capped for logistical and safety reasons.
Entry criteria:
All entrants must be fit, have adequate cold water swimming experience and must undergo a medical check, preferably by Dr Sean Gottschalk from Mediclinic or by their own medical practicioner who must complete a document here. Send this completed document to info@leapcommunications.co.za by 15 July. Additionall each entrant must undergo an ECG by Mediclinic at the Travel Clinic at the V&A Waterfront Clocktower on either 7, 8 or 14 July. Call 021 419 1888 to book.
Ice Swim applicants must have previously completed the 1 Mile Speedo Ice Swim Africa or; completed a Robben Island crossing in 13°C or lower or; have extensive cold water swimming experience; or have completed the endurance swim.
All entrants must undertake at least one vetting swim at Silvermine Dam, Cape Town, within two weeks of the event (11 & 12 July).
All entrants must undertake at least one ice bath set for Friday 15 July (1 – 2pm) and Saturday 16 July (11 – noon) at the V&A Waterfront Amphitheatre.
All entrants are encouraged to swim in cold water (preferably below 13°C) regularly (at least twice a week) in the weeks leading up to the event.
The Swim Committee’s decision on qualification and participation is final and will be taken in the interests of safety.
General:
Swimmers to arrange their own transport, accommodation and all meals – all for their personal account. Contact our host in Fraserburg, Ronel Le Roux, owner of Die Kliphuis Country Inn, who will refer you to various guest houses or private homes being made available for accommodation. Call her on Tel/Fax: 023-7411870 or cell:0832272407, email rler@vodamail.co.za. Die Kliphuis will offer meals throughout the weekend.
Swimmers must attend a briefing in Fraserburg on Friday 22 July at the agricultural show grounds from 6:30pm.
A traditional Karoo braai will be available at the show grounds on Friday evening 22 July after the briefing. On Saturday evening, 23 July, a pootjiekos meal and awards function will be hosted at the grounds from 6:30pm. Book in advance through Ronel at rler@vodamail.co.za and pay at the venue. A cash bar will be available.
Most accommodation will either be self catering or offer bed and breakfast. Ronel le Roux’s Kliphuis will offer meals throughout the weekend. Ideally, book in advance.
All swimmers to be at Nuwedam by 8:45am on Saturday, 23 July and conditions dependent, the first heat will commence by 9:15am.
Every swimmer must be treated in Medi-Clinic’s medical facility directly after they exit the water and may only leave once discharged by the CMO.
