The annual aQuelle Midmar Mile took place on the weekend of 8 – 9 February near Howick in KwaZulu-Natal.
The 1.6 km swim is one of the largest open water swimming events in the world . This year some 12 000 swimmers from all over the world took part, which makes the achievements of the Welkom swimmers remarkable.
The event attracts all types of swimmers, including amateurs, professionals and para-swimmers.
The group of Welkom swimmers included Shaunagh Reynders 43:36, Gemma Mansill 41:08, Corinne Mansill 39:18, Genevieve Venter 42:10, Jordan Wiesner 31:40, Nathan van Rensburg 45:22, Dirk Nel 30:14, Japie Nel 45:19, Mareze Flylinck 24:18, Louise Viljoen 38:38, Nicole van Rensburg 45:22, Ryno van Rensburg 45:23, Cayley Karpakis 41:18 and Julie Hundermark (56:22).
The seven Welkom-Gimnasium swimmers are Ashley Seymour (29:06), Noa Mansill (25:30), Kaira Nel (32:59), Tatum Venter (29:29), Shyenne Laubscher 28:34, SJ Nel (23:25) and Tristan Venter (26:35).
Adriaan du Toit, a learner of Naudeville Primary School completed his swim in a good time of 30.47 minutes.
SJ Nel, Noah Mansill, Tristan Venter and Shyenne Laubscher achieved the top 100, and Tatum Venter and Ashley Seymour achieved Top 200. They are all Gimmies.
