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Beach Series opener well supported

• 23 Hours Ago

About 150 participants competed in the first leg of the TeamFlippy Seawork Cares Beach Series at the Mole in Swakopmund on Saturday, with options to either swim, or run, or combine the two disciplines.

This year, participants could choose between aquathlon options of a 500m swim and 2.5km run, or a 1 km swim and 5 km run, as well as individual distances such as a 2 km swim, 10 km run, or 15 km run.

New age categories were also added this year: masters (41–50 years) and veterans (51+ years), making the event more inclusive.

Pumi Seidler, co-organiser, said the event was a big upgrade from last year and that the first leg was a great success.

“We can already see from the numbers that there’s strong support. People are excited and already looking forward to the next event.

“Overall, it went really well, and we’re backed by an amazing team. We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who helped and supported us, as well as to the community for coming together and enjoying sport. That’s what we love doing at Team Flippy — sport is at the heart of what we do.”

This year’s Seawork Cares Beach Series is all about community, consistency, and quality.

“Our motto ‘you versus you’ is about challenging yourself. Everyone has their own goals and their own limits to push. It’s about getting out there, doing the sport, and making it to the finish line. That’s why everyone receives a gold medal at the end — because it’s not about comparing yourself to others, but about finishing for yourself.”

 

Up next

The next event in the series is set for 21 February.

“We may change up the running route, but the swimming route will remain the same. It will once again include a swim, run, and aquathlon. More details will be shared closer to the time, so we encourage participants to register early. All details will be shared on our social media platforms.”

He added that they are extremely grateful for the continued support.

“There are so many great things happening in sport in Namibia because of this collective support. It’s a strong team, a strong community, and it’s truly impressive.”

Saturday’s leading results were as follow: 

 

2 KILOMETRE SWIM

Junior male and overall winner: 1 Christiaan van der Westhuizen (25 minutes 02.11 seconds); 2 Jorn Buchert (25:27.14).

Senior female: 1 Ciske Howard (43:18.75).

Senior male: 1 Wessel Oosthuizen (36:00.84).

Masters female: 1 Cari Graf (41:13.31).

Masters male: 1 Dentie Louw (25:15.68), 2 Duncan Lester (26:32.48), 3 Francois van der Westhuizen (29:59.09).

Veteran female: 1 Martina Buckendorf (37:54.30).

Veteran male: 1 Wolfgang Buckendorf (33:41:23) 

 

10 KILOMETRE RUN

Junior female: 1 Zane Grobler (1:14:47).

Senior female: 1 Natalie Visagie (47:01), 2 Charlotte Marie Wagner (54:19), 3 Nelrie Zwemstra (58:20).

Senior male: 1 Mathias Haimbodi (41:17), 2 Indongo Joseph (41:54), 3 Leandrew Losper (44:30).

Masters female: 1 Marilyn Vihajo (1:14:33), 2 Erna Opperman (1:14:47), 3 Yvette Greeff (01:16:27).

Masters male: 1 Paul Brogh (49:25), 2 Gabriel Nakale (53:22) 3 Manus Grobler (57:57).

 

15 KILOMETRE RUN

Senior female: 1 Lara Fuss (1:25:42), 2 Adoree Snyman (1:29:46), 3 Dina Kashindinge (01:30:26).

Senior male: 1 Jairus Shiluwa (1:12:02), 2 Harry Greyling (1:12:45), 3 Julian Paul (01:25:43).

Masters female: 1 Liewa Hiskia (1:23:16), 2 Yvette Idjou (1:31:34), Martinette van Niekerk (1:43:22).

Masters male: 1 Rudy Diergaardt (1:14:57), 2 Antonio Daniel (1:32:00), 3 Gerhard Carstens (1:56:07).

Veteran female: 1 Christine Haupt (1:24:42), 2 Renette van den Heever (1:33:37).

 

AQUATHLON leading results

 

2 km swim and 10 km run:

Senior female: 1 Alice Fischer (1:35:14), 2 Charly Taylor (1:36:47).

Masters female: 1 Julia Jansen (1:22:11), 2 Anja Schroder (1:24:15).

Masters male: 1 Richard Reid (1:25:59), 2 Jaco Marais (1:35:39).

 

1 kilometre swim and 5 kilometre run:

Senior female: 1 Carolyn Schmidt (54:53).

Senior male: 1 Michael Hopkins (41:09), 2 Shane van Zyl (45:59).

Masters female: 1 Kirsty Britz (48:02), 2 Naomi Milne (52:17), 3 Louise Engels (52:54).

Masters male: 1 Rike Kuehtz (59:32), 2 Stefano Campetti (1:00:46).

Veteran male: 1 Roelof Pahl (42:51).

 

500m swim and 2.5 km run

Junior female: 1 Zoe-Mari Antonchich (30:19), 2 Tamrin Coetzee (33:19), 3 Marjolize Bodenstein (41:44).

Junior male: 1 Tuli Kainge (26:18), 2 Liam Grové (26:19).

Senior female: 1 Anika Sander (27:21), 2 Anneke Wormsbacher (31:16), 3 Sarah Hopkins (36:49).

Senior male: 1 Strauss Chelius (25:36), 2 Francois Kotze (31:39), 3 Gideon Retief (33:43).

Masters male: Jorn Wormsbacher (29:57).