FOREWORD
Message from race director , Wayne Riddin
UK challengers in the men , Ashley Hogg and Bailey Hairsine , will both be making another appearance , having enjoyed numerous top 10 placings in previous years .
Thank you to everyone for your support as we celebrate our 50th year of hosting the World ’ s largest open water swim , the aQuellé Midmar Mile . This will also be my 32nd year as the Race Director and I commend the efforts of my previous organizers , namely the late Clive Chapman and the secretary in the early days , Ray Fish .
This race is something that has defined much of my life , and has brought me so much joy watching many swimmers of all abilities complete the swim over the 50 years . We have overcome obstacles throughout the race ’ s history , and to host the 50th edition of the world ’ s biggest open-water swim is something that fills myself and my crew with immense pride as we are create history in swimming and events . Every swimmer that crosses that start line into the dam etches their name in history too .
As usual , an astronomical effort has been made to make the 50th edition one to remember . The swimmers coming out to join us will be making the 50th so much more special – Trevor Strydom from Australia and Owen Ryan from London who were the first two across the line in 1974 , will be here and Martin Godfrey who was third and completing his 49th swim this year means the top three will be present . Few events can boast this so thank you to them .
To have last year ’ s World Champion , the Olympic gold medalist in 2016 and silver medalist in 2021 , Sharon van Rouwendaal from the Netherlands , here to compete adds to the prestige . Past winner Ashley Twichell from the US , returning to her first competition after having her baby , will be out with husband Derek and mom Deirdre – your support over so many years is appreciated .
The special mentions make my 32nd year more memorable . Our first three-time winner Tricia Butcher joins us from Colorado , Sam Ramsamy - whose status and knowledge in world swimming has always had my respect , Buthy Arbuthnot as the founder joining us from Cape Town and Paul Blackbeard as our 1970 ’ s and 1980 ’ s hero in the pool and amazing ability in open water swimming . The list goes on ….
So the point in all this - it is about each and every swimmer joining us and having a special time . There are so many stories out there as participants challenge and reach their own goals for their own reasons .
The amount of work that goes into an event of this scale is massive , and I cannot adequately express my thanks to all those involved behind the scenes in making the aQuellé Midmar Mile what it is each year . This year more than most , every person has gone above and beyond what was required . This event would not be possible without your tireless commitment and every swimmer who crosses our finish line safely does so because of the roles you play and for that I am incredibly thankful .
To our title sponsor aQuellé , your commitment to the aQuellé Midmar Mile goes a long way to making this event what it is year on year . Our 50th edition has become what it has because of your unwavering support . You have gone above and beyond the role of title sponsor , and it makes my job so much easier knowing that I have you in my corner . Your campaign for the 2023 event # MilestoneMoments is so fitting for our half century as many a milestone has been made on the dam with many more still to come , and I trust we will see these together .
To all our other sponsors , this race is what it is because of the commitment each sponsor has made , and to that we are grateful . Long term support from Thembelihle , Maxed Elite and Mr Price Sport , Nivea , Race Food , Virgin Active , and Glodina – thank you . New sponsors in
Truda Foods with their Chippa brand , Hibiscus Hospital Cato Ridge and Lenmed Private Group , your medical support is vital , Shelving SA , Mi7 National Group and Pam Golding .
Action Photo SA will be there again helping swimmers keep memories alive with fantastic photography while FinishTime are there providing us with race timing and results . Modern Athlete have assisted us with marketing and mailers . It ’ s great to have a team on board who supports our communication in this new world of social media .
Our water safety is always the top of the list on my organization each year , and a big acknowledgement to the services provided by the SA Navy , SAPS Diving Unit , KZN Wildlife and the Honourary Officers for their continued support . Then to Jay Cee Thomson from Durban Surf , co-ordinating the many lifeguards on the course , ensuring that we keep each swimmer as safe as humanly possible , I can ’ t thank you enough .
And lastly , to the Seals Swimming Club , thank you to all of you who give up countless hours of your personal time to make the event what it is . Mary Martens joined me shortly before Covid affected all of us , and if it wasn ’ t for her , the 50th celebrations would not have gone as close to our planning at all ! Thank you to the staff over the last few decades , Glynis Cunningham , Lisa Raphota and Errol Makhathini , for your loyal service and to my nephew Jarrod , for his endless hours setting up this amazing event .
The funding from this event has allowed Seals to be the only club in the country to have had an Olympic representative in every Olympics since 1992 , and our latest World Champion coming from Matthew Sates as recently as December 2022 .
We wish all swimmers a pleasant swim and a big welcome to all new swimmers as well as a welcome back to swimmers joining us again , we have made every effort to ensure your 50th aQuellé Midmar experience is the best one yet from start to finish .
4 aQuellé Midmar Mile | Worlds Largest Open Water Swim