Hundreds of swimmers are expected to take part in the third edition of the annual Gauteng Open Water Championships this coming weekend at the Benoni Sailing Club, ahead of the national games later this year.
The games provide competitive swimmers an opportunity to take part in safe and controlled open swimming in dams, lakes and rivers. Athletes made up of age groups of between 7 to over 65 will participate in various swimming distances ranging from 400m to 10 km.
Swimmers with the best and top qualifying times in each group stand a chance to be selected for the National Championships later this year.
The 2016 Gauteng Open Water Championships are an initiative of the Gauteng provincial government hosted in partnership with the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality under the auspices of Athletics South Africa.
“Swimming remains one of our most prominent sporting codes and one in which Gauteng performs outstandingly well. It is not only a key recreational activity but a vital life skill that all should have the ability to do and the pleasure of enjoying. I wish for a safe and successful competition for all the participants and know we will find the best representatives for the province.” said MEC for the Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Faith Mazibuko
Members of the media are cordially invited to cover the event as follows:
Date: Saturday, 30 January 2016 & Sunday, 31 January 2016
Time: 08:30-15:00
Venue: Benoni Sailing Club, Homestead Lake, Benoni
Parking at the venue is R10
| Saturday Swims | ||
| 1 & 1A
|
Men Women 16 & Older | 10 km |
| 2 & 2A | Men & Women 14 & Older | 7.5km |
| 3 & 3A
|
Men & Women 14 & older | 5km |
| Sunday Swims | ||
| 4 & 4A
|
Men & Women 12 & Older | 3km
|
| 5 | Development swim
|
400m |
| 6 | Women ( All ages) | 1500m |
| 7 | Development swim | 800m |
| 8 | Men ( All ages) | 1500m |
