The Greendale Superspar Tabs-in trips last Saturday was unfortunately cancelled due to waterlogged greens, but the weather was kinder to us last Wednesday and the Halfway Toyota Howick Tabs-in competition was played in fairly hot conditions. The winners were Ed Speed, Pat Bailey, and Pat Ciro, with the runners-up being Colin Burden, Balf Balfour, Eric Simpson & Malcolm Tait. We thank the above sponsors for their continued support and for providing sandwiches for tea. Margie Wheelwright also presented the winners with their prizes.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS IN FEBRUARY:
Friday 28 February 09h00 Woodstone Craft Café nominated 2-bowl trips. Members are reminded to enter the club singles competitions to commence in March.

Regular Tabs-In Times: Tuesdays (summer) at 08h15 - Casual Dress: Wednesday and Saturday at 13h15 – bowls attire.

Coaching is available by arrangement. Phone 071 164 3162.

Pictured here; Winners Ed Speed, Pat Ciro & Pat Bailey with Margie Wheelwright of Halfway Toyota Howick.

News supplied by UWBC (Umgeni Waterfall Bowling Cub).

Cait Pansegrouw, producer of the film “This Is Not a Burial, It’s a Resurrection”, directed by Lemohang Jeremiah Mosese, won the Special Jury Award for Visionary Filmmaking in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition category at the Sundance Festival 2020.

Cait, a graduate from AFDA, The School of the Creative Economy, was also the producer of South Africa’s official entry to the 2018 Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film, Inxeba (The Wound).

The Sundance awards ceremony marked the culmination of the 2020 Festival, where 128 feature-length and 74 short films — selected from more than 15,100 submissions — were showcased in Park City, Salt Lake City and Sundance, Utah, alongside work in the Indie Episodic category, panels, music and New Frontier.

This year’s jurors, invited in recognition of their accomplishments in the arts, technical craft and visionary storytelling, deliberated extensively before presenting awards from the stage; this year’s jurors were Rodrigo Garcia, Ethan Hawke, Dee Rees, Isabella Rossellini, Wash Westmoreland, Kimberly Reed, Rachel Rosen, Courtney Sexton, E. Chai Vasarhelyi, Noland Walker, Haifaa Al Mansour, Wagner Moura, Alba Rohrwacher, Eric Hynes, Rima Mismar, and Nanfu Wang. Gregg Araki was the sole NEXT juror.

“At Sundance, we believe art can break through noise and polarization. In volatile times like these, democracy and storytelling aren’t separate – they’re inextricably linked,” said Keri Putnam, Sundance Institute’s Executive Director. “Congratulations to each and every one of tonight's winners, and to all the extraordinary artists who joined us at the Festival.

Pictured above: 2nd from the left - Cait Pansegrouw.

 News supplied.

Play a role in a murder mystery game set in a 1920's Speakeasy. Gangsters, Molls, Politicians, Police and more are all attending a party at 'The Juice Joint' when a murder happens.

Your character will have their own backstory, secrets and goals to achieve in the game. Your goals might be to solve (or get away with) a murder, or you may have other goals that have nothing to do with the murder.

There is no 'acting' on stage in front of everyone. You mingle and chat to people in character one-on-one or in small groups to achieve your goals. You can extort, blackmail, swindle, steal, whatever you think your character would do in the situation.

There are two levels of roles in the game, we need 15 - 19 people to play the main roles, which are named characters who are integral to the main story arcs. These players will be a bit busier in the game, as the other characters will be coming to chat to them to achieve their own goals. Then there are minor roles, which aren't necessary to move the story along, but they still have their own secrets and goals and will be interacting with the main roles in order to achieve their goals.

Tickets are R400 for main roles and R300 for minor roles. The ticket price includes dinner, and we will be running a cash bar. The game will last for 2 - 4 hours, depending on the number of players and how involved in the game people get.

We need 15 main roles in order to play the game, so we will only unlock minor role ticket sales once we have sold 15 main role tickets.

News supplied by Fern Hill Hotel.

CBD is not an officially recognized medicine...yet.

But even holistic supplements can't compensate for what you do 90% of the time. And if eating inflammatory, processed foods, over-drinking, smoking, skimping on sleep, moving too little, scrolling too much, ignoring your mental well-being is what you're doing...then you're probably not addressing the root causes of your illness or health issue. ⁠
⁠
CBD can support you in your journey to better health and vitality, but it cannot compensate for unhealthy living and anyone that sells it as a quick fix either doesn't know what they're talking about, doesn't truly care about your health, or probably both.⁠

News supplied by The Hemp People.

8 February 2020 – The first day of the 47th edition of the aQuellé Midmar Mile got off to a soggy start but ended bathed in sunshine as four of the weekend’s eight races took place at Midmar Dam just outside Pietermaritzburg.

The world’s largest open water swimming event attracted over 13,000 entries who braved the morning rain to tackle the mile-long course across the famous dam.

The Albertyns from Pretoria once again dominated the Family Relay, scooping up an impressive fourth title. Son, Connor, was the first swimmer out the water in the race in 18:56. His sister, Kaitlyn, was ninth in 20:42 with father Gary (who is completing a gruelling 16 miles over the weekend) alongside her in 10th in 20:43. Mom, Megan, was not far behind in 22nd in 23:02. Only the Dias family now holds more titles in the event with five.

“It was a tough start – very choppy – but it was a good race. It’s always good to race the family event and the pressure mounts, but luckily it’s more on Gary and Caitlyn and Connor than it is on me,” said Megan afterwards, confirming that the family all plan to tackle the 16-mile challenge next year.

“One of the things about our family is that we love challenges and I think all four of us doing 16 miles next year would be an incredible challenge and one that I don’t think too many people can do.

“I think as a family it’s such a bonding weekend, we have so much fun, sharing that experience so that’s the plan. I think I need to train harder. I’m the one that trains the least but come 2021, we’ll hopefully have four Albertyns doing 16 miles.”

Earlier, there were some familiar faces among the winners in the first event of the day. Aaron Putz emerged as the first of the disabled swimmers from the water, claiming top honours in the intellectually impaired category in 22 minutes 39, and 2000 Olympic silver medallist Terence Parkin (also a two-time winner of the main race at Midmar) came top of the deaf swimmers in 23:04.

Paralympic gold medallist Shireen Shapiro claimed the win in the women’s physically disabled race, finishing in 28 minutes 10.

Another of the recognisable faces emerging from the dam on day one was South Africa’s 13-time Paralympic champion Natalie du Toit, who also famously competed in the Olympics in open water swimming. She retired from the sport in 2012 but returns to Midmar Dam every year to participate in the event.

“I only do one swim a year to come out and support the Teddy Bear Foundation and raise some funds for them, so it was a good swim. It was a little choppy out there for me, but I’m really unfit,” she admitted.

“I haven’t raced since 2012 so I don’t train anymore – I just come in to swim Midmar. It’s fun to come out and have a great day with your family.”
For many first-timers, just reaching the finish line was an achievement.

“This was my first time. It’s great, I feel awesome and I’m so glad I finished it,” said Sibu Simelane from Pietermaritzburg, who only started swimming two years ago. “I was inspired by a colleague that swims as well. I came here last year to support him, so I said this year I’ll join. My first swim was the Capital K in December and I didn’t finish – I panicked – so I pushed myself to finish this one. I’m so proud and grateful today.”

Meanwhile, it was the Deloitte team of Lauren and Natalie Billson, Gareth Wyllie, Paul Gregory and Tiaan van Wyk, who came out tops in the Company Relay while Team Traincamp, which included several of the country’s rising swimming stars (Bailey Musgrave, Luca Holtzhausen, Tory Earle, Rebecca Meder and Guy Brooks) claimed the spoils in the final event of the day, the Non-Company Relay.

SA’s national swimming coach Graham Hill hailed the success of the event and the impact it has on the sport in the country.

“What Wayne [Riddin] has done with this event is remarkable. I don’t think people really understand how big this event is, how well-organised it is, and what he’s made it into. It’s probably one of the best open water events in the world and is the biggest.

“For SA Swimming and watersport in South Africa, I don’t think any other event can match this – it’s a truly remarkable event and hats off to Wayne and all the organisers, sponsors and everyone involved.”

As for the elite swimmers, many completed several of the day one events as a warm-up for their main races on Sunday. Hill maintained the aQuellé Midmar Mile provides an excellent opportunity for them to race ahead of all-important Olympic qualifying events.

“Open water is open water so whether it’s a 1km, 5km, or 10km, which is an Olympic event, it’s always good practice for the open water swimmers to do and it’s great for the pool swimmers who swim the 800s and 1500s, so it’s a bit of a mix in between and interesting to see results. We’ll see how they go,” he said.

Please find details, images and results attached. For full results, go to https://results.finishtime.co.za/results.aspx?CId=35&RId=4101&EId=1

Photo credits: Jetline Action Photo

The final countdown to the 2020 aQuellé Midmar Mile officially began with the press launch of the event in Pietermaritzburg on Thursday.
The world’s largest open water swimming event will take place at Midmar Dam from 8-9 February.
Speaking at the launch of the event, organiser and two-time winner of the race Wayne Riddin said: “All the planning and set-up has been done and we’re ready to welcome the thousands of participants that will converge on KwaZulu-Natal for a phenomenally festive weekend of great swimming action.
“We’ve got an impressive line-up of international stars, all looking to start off their Olympic qualifying campaigns on a positive note.”
Among those swimmers are South Africa’s seven-time champion Chad Ho, the man who finished runner-up in last year’s race Michael McGlynn, and another of the strong home challengers Danie Marais (third in 2019).
Among the international contenders are 2018 runner-up Ashley Hogg from Britain and speedy American Brendan Casey, who’ll be taking on the aQuellé Midmar Mile for the first time.
On the women’s side, South Africa’s Michelle Weber will be gunning for a repeat of her 2016 victory, while up and coming star Leigh McMorran is looking to make her mark in the senior ranks.
But the aQuellé Midmar Mile is not only about the elite who will challenge for the main men’s and women’s titles on Sunday.
“There are the faithful regulars like our formidable 87-year-old founder Mike ‘Buthie’ Arbuthnot, who’s swum every single Midmar race since 1974, the intrepid bunch of swimmers looking to swim all eight miles over the weekend, and then the incredible group of eight who are swimming a total of 16 miles – all to raise funds for a variety of deserving charities.
“Added to that are the families, the first-timers, the disabled stars, and so many others with personal stories of courage and determination. It’s just a wonderful weekend all round,” added Riddin.
The action will kick off on Saturday with the first of four races starting at 8:15am, and the final race at 12:15pm. Sunday’s first of four events gets under way at 8:30am with the main women’s race scheduled for 11am and the men’s for 12:15pm, which will wrap up the weekend’s festivities.
aQuellé Midmar Mile Schedule
Saturday, 8 February 2020
8:15am: Event 1 – Disabled / Ironman / Ironwoman / Biathlons / 71yrs+
9:45am: Event 2 – Family team
11am: Event 3 – Company relay
12:15pm: Event 4 – Non-company team

Sunday, 9 February 2020
8:30am: Event 5 – Girls 13 & under / Women 31 & over
9:45am: Event 6 – Boys 13 & under / Men 31 & over
11am: Event 7 – Women 14 to 30
12:15pm: Event 8 – Men 14 to 30

Entry fees to get into the dam
Please note the entry fees payable in cash to Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife to get to the dam for the aQuellé Midmar Mile are as follows:
• Pedestrians: R40 per person
• Cars: R100
• Combis: R150
• Small buses: R400
• Large buses: R800

For all other information, log on to www.midmarmile.co.za

Pictured above: (From left): International Masters swimming star and 1977 Midmar champion Paul Blackbeard, British contender Ashley Hogg, 2016 women’s champion Michelle Weber, seven-time winner Chad Ho, and another of the British contenders Bailey Hairsine at the launch of the 2020 aQuellé Midmar Mile at Cascades Lifestyle Centre in Pietermaritzburg.

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Gail Bristow was just 14 years old when she lined up for her first aQuellé Midmar Mile. There was no medal waiting for her when she reached the other side of the dam, however. That’s because it was 1974, and women weren’t officially allowed to enter the race.

Plenty has changed since then, with over 12,000 instead of 150 swimmers set to line up for the 2020 edition of what’s grown into the world’s largest open water swimming event. Now 60, Bristow will still be one of them, though, as she competes for a 46th official and 47th unofficial year.

“I started the very first one in 1974. The girls weren’t allowed to swim, so a handful of us went along with our brothers and friends and we lined up at the start, but we didn’t get a medal,” she recalled. “Can you imagine anything more ridiculous? The girls were all unofficial, as they were at the Comrades Marathon and all those events back then.”

That all changed a year later after an uproar from the country’s female swimmers.

“So we lined up with our mates and swam it and that’s how it’s been ever since. I think part of the fun is that a lot of those same people – although they might not have made it every year – are still doing it, so I see a lot of my friends that I swam with as a teenager every year. It’s a really social event now. I’m not as competitive as I was. It’s all about the camaraderie and it’s a great event.”

Bristow represented both Natal and South Africa in the pool back in the day, although it was during the period of international isolation. She’s also claimed podium places in various age categories at the aQuellé Midmar Mile, and still competes in the pool at Masters level.

“We have quite a strong Masters team that travels all over to compete at World Championships, so I do still swim competitively, even though I turned 60 last year. It’s a lot of fun, it gives you some motivation, otherwise it’s easy just to get lazy.

“I think I have three world titles and our Cape Town team has six world relay records, so we are very competitive in that group, which is nice, because we grew up when we couldn’t compete internationally.”

Swimming has always played an important part in Bristow’s life.

“I grew up in KwaZulu-Natal and we used to swim at the Pinetown pool. My brother and all my friends swam, so I just kind of got into it like that, and we spent all our holidays at the pool. It’s what we did, and it’s what I’ve always done,” explained the recently retired teacher, who taught PE at St Mary’s in Kloof and then geography at Wynberg Girls’ High in Cape Town.

“The main thing for me is that on the second Sunday in February, I’ve been at Midmar for the last 47 years. It’s now a case of getting there. I always think the car might break down or the flight could be delayed. There’s always that possibility, so I feel very grateful that I’ve been able to make it every year. It’s just something I’ve added onto my calendar every year, which became a bit more challenging when I moved to Cape Town.”

Over the years she’s faced storms and choppy water, and had to wait for mist to lift to be able to make it across the dam, but Bristow’s most challenging race was last year, when she competed just a couple of months after undergoing a knee replacement.

“That was the only one I didn’t feel very confident of and wasn’t sure what was going to happen without the usual training,” she explained. “But I entered in the family race, not the main race, so my son and husband swam with me and I still managed it, but I was anxious about it.

“It’s a great event and it’s something I’ll try and keep doing for as long as I can do it,” added the only woman to have been there every year since 1974.

Pictured above Gail Bristow

Photo credit Jetline Action Photos.

News supplied.

We think our Howick Hospice House is a real looker but we are a bit biased. We have a few aspects we would love to improve;

New Donation Depot
Roofing for our carports
Front Office Revamp...to name a few.

If you would like to get involved get in touch.

Call +27 (0)33 330 5257.

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The Oasis Prep School's Grade 2 Outreach to God's Little Lambs .

As part of our Acts of Kindness Month, our Oasis Prep Grade 2's went on an outreach to God's Little Lambs. They spent the morning singing, praying and connecting with the children.

Outreach forms a vital part of the Oasis Prep programme .

what privilege to be able to reach out to our community!

News supplied by Oasis Prep School.

Our next Passion Profile showcases Jen Gordon, who loves her own home as much as she likes helping you find yours. She dotes on her family and beloved big dogs.

Heavily invested in the local community, Jen ran the neighbourhood watch for many years and has been a LifeLine counsellor.

Her passion for property has developed over 25 years and for Jen, this translates to loyalty, integrity, enthusiasm and focus.

News supplied by Dormehl Phalane Propery Group Midlands.

Valentines Day is on Friday. Spoil your Valentine's and join us at Eat at Andrew's for a Mexican themed 3 course dinner.

Book your table, we still have a few spots available.

Call on: +27 (0)66 254 8112 or send us a direct message.

News supplied by Eat at Andrew's.

The Ugly Duckling have been very busy unpacking all the new goods that arrived with all the containers. Come and see these new items, gorgeous original antique enamel lights, trunks (each trunk is unique),carpets, bags, woven baskets, throws and lots more.

News supplied by The Ugly Duckling.

9 February 2020 – It was a day for South African celebrations as the Durban duo of Robyn Kinghorn and Michael McGlynn wrapped up the women and men’s titles at the aQuellé Midmar Mile.

International swimmers have dominated the elite events in recent years with the last double home victory coming in 2016 from Michelle Weber and Chad Ho. Those 2016 champions, who are both looking towards Tokyo 2020 Olympic qualification later in the year, were aiming for a repeat of that feat in this year’s race, but were beaten in dominant fashion.

Both Kinghorn and McGlynn mastered the choppy conditions to perfection. They powered to the front of their respective races and could not be caught over the mile-long course.

Kinghorn chose a line across the dam that was well to the right of the chasing pack and it proved to work as she stayed in front to reach the finish in 21 minutes 16.

Samantha Randle finished in second place 11 seconds later with Victoria Earle in third in 21:30. 2016 champion Weber was fourth.

“I’m burning on the inside but I’m extremely happy with my race,” said 20-year-old Kinghorn afterwards. “Everyone today swam their hearts out, I know that.

“The chop was extremely bad so looking up I did get quite a few waves in my face. I didn’t really know where I was going, so swimming along and seeing the others in a bunch was quite concerning, but I just went for it and put my head down.”

The men’s race saw McGlynn also well out in front from the start as he relished the challenge of the rough conditions. Having finished second in last year’s race, the Durban swimmer was determined he’d finish in front this time, reaching the shore in 18 minutes 26.

Seven-time champion Ho was second in 19:02 and Henré Louw finished in third spot five seconds later.

Describing how he chose which line to take across the dam, McGlynn said: “I decided to just go with what felt right and that was the middle. It changes every year. I just put my head down and went for it.

“I tried to look back a few times, but you know that saying ‘don’t look back’ – so I just carried on going. I’m a sea swimmer as well so these conditions kind of played into my hands today and it was my day.

“Maybe if it was flat it would have been under 17 minutes. I was 17:28 last year so in these conditions, 18 doesn’t matter – it was just about getting the job done,” added McGlynn whose brother Chris finished in sixth place.

“It’s my first win and I’m glad I could do it for South Africa as well. Midmar Mile is very prestigious. My first win, I’m 20 – I’m happy.”

Earlier in the day before the wind picked up American Lexie Kelly once again dominated in her age category, winning the women’s 31-40 race in 22:36.

“It was so awesome, it was so smooth. The water was really glassy. I got in a nice little pack with some guys and had a really good line and a beautiful swim,” she said afterwards.

“My goal is to win the full decade from 30 and over and this is my fourth win in a row.”

One of the most impressive swims of the day came from 1977 Midmar champion Paul Blackbeard who emerged as the overall winner of the second event of the day, for swimmers 13 and under and 30 and over. The soon-to-be 62-year-old emerged from the water in 21:34 to also top the 61-70 category.

“It was better than yesterday. Still a bit bumpy but it was a nice swim and the water is nice and clean so it’s lovely. I thought there would be a 13-year-old much closer to me so that was a bit of a surprise that a 61-year-old can win it,” said the former South Africa star who is now based in Perth and owns every Australian record in his age group from 100 to 1500m freestyle.

“I’m training quite hard for a 20km swim that I’m doing in two weeks’ time so I’m kind of in the diesel motor mode at the moment so this was a sprint now.”

Meanwhile, among the future stars of the sport, Bailey Forrest won the girls 13 and under race in 23:39 and Connor Reinders won the boys 13 and under category in 22:48.

Also making his way across the dam on Sunday was former world champion Gerhard Zandberg who represented South Africa at four World Championships and two Olympic Games, but chiefly in the far shorter backstroke events.

“It was quite far. Maybe at 500-600m you start looking up and seeing if it’s getting any closer,” he admitted with a laugh. “I think because you’re swimming in a straight line it’s difficult to judge how far you’re going. It’s tough for me. I like the shorter stuff. To swim for 20-25 minutes full speed in choppy water is a challenge but I like it, it’s fun. It’s my fourth one.”

Elsewhere, Ebrahim Mahomed from Pietermaritzburg was determined to finish his first ever aQuellé Midmar Mile. It took him 1 hour 28 minutes and 5 seconds but that didn’t matter. The disabled swimmer, who received a massive cheer at the finish, explained: “My daughter has been swimming for the last two or three years and I only learnt how to swim last year after watching her swim.

“It was a fantastic experience. I did it yesterday but there was some lightning so they stopped the race for safety reasons when I had about 300m left, so I wanted to do it again today. It was tough today after yesterday’s race but we managed,” he added, joking that his next mission is to beat his daughter.

Above: Chad Ho, Michael Mc Glynn and Henre Louw

On RHS: Ebrahim Mahomed

Photo credits: aQuellé Midmar Mile.

News supplied.

While over 13,000 swimmers will be making their way across Midmar Dam this weekend, just eight will attempt to complete the most gruelling challenge available at the aQuellé Midmar Mile.

Those are the intrepid athletes who will be gunning to become part of the 16-Mile Club. The group will swim each of the eight scheduled events spread over the two days of 8-9 February. But then, unlike the Eight-mile Club, they’ll swim back to the start of the next race each time to bring their total at the end of the weekend to an impressive 16 miles.

One of the gallant participants is former international competitor Gary Albertyn, who’s a current world Masters champion in open water swimming. This isn’t the first time he’s attempted the challenge either – it’s his fifth.

“Having done this four times before, I know more or less what to expect, although each year is different,” explained the Pretoria-based swimmer. “Each day, the first two or maybe three miles are fairly easy, then the next few are quite tough, more mentally than physically, but then when you get to number six it gets a bit easier because you know there are only two or three left to go.

“The challenge of being able to complete all 16 miles as well as the fact that we are raising money for a really great cause keeps me going.”

The eight swimmers taking part have been raising funds for the Duzi Umngeni Conservation trust (DUCT) – the organisation whose mission is to champion the environmental health of the uMngeni and uMsunduzi Rivers.

“DUCT play an important role in the area that extends to such a large part of the country. Ensuring that our rivers and dams are clean and free from pollution is a critically important function,” said Albertyn.

“With the water restrictions still in place in many parts of South Africa and the ongoing threat of contaminated water, DUCT need our support more than ever before.”

Looking to raise as much as possible, Albertyn has been hard at work in training.

“It involves training six times a week (Monday to Saturday), and trying to do a few open water races over weekends. My aim is to get between 35km and 40km done each week.”

Despite only swimming his first aQuellé Midmar Mile in 2012. By the end of this weekend, he’ll have notched up a remarkable total of over 100 miles in just nine years.

“Having swum competitively for many years, my first Midmar was only in 2012. I swam three of the races. I then participated in the eight-mile challenge for three years (for Pink Drive), and then the 16-mile challenge each year since then.

“My first 16-mile challenge ended up being 17 miles, myself and Calvin Steyn did an extra mile. This will be my ninth event, and if I finish all 16, I will have swum 108 miles over the nine years.”

From next year, Albertyn is hoping his entire family will be taking on the formidable challenge with him.

“My whole family is involved. My wife Megan, daughter Kaitlyn and son Connor are all doing the eight-mile challenge for Pink Drive. We are hoping to make history in 2021 and be the first family to be part of the 16-Mile Club.”

As for what brings him back each year, Albertyn added: “Midmar is a truly unique event in every way. Recognised in 2009 as the world's largest open water swimming event, it has the most incredible atmosphere and vibe from the moment you arrive in Pietermaritzburg.

“For us as a family, it is one of our favourite weekends of the year. We have made so many friends at Midmar and seen everything from a marriage proposal to tears of happiness and celebrations. We have witnessed such courage and determination that has been incredibly inspiring.

“There is also so much going on including music, yummy food stalls as well as lots of shopping. The generosity of all the sponsors involved in the event, particularly aQuellé, add to the magic of the weekend. It is truly a unique event and a showcase of the incredible hard work of the Midmar organisers, led so ably by Wayne Riddin,” he concluded.

The eight swimmers taking on the 16-Mile challenge are: Gary Albertyn, Ross Cairns, Colin Gluch, Stephen Hunt, Sam Kruger, Chris Stapley, Marius van Reenen, and Reino von Wielligh.

Pictured above Gary Albertyn, photo credit Jetline Action Photos.

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For a hoppy Valentine's Day experience, join us for a romantic picnic. Enjoy a walk along the picturesque river. Stop and soak up the beauty of Lions River with a picnic basket filled with our country fresh treats, wash it down with a pitcher of craft beer for an unforgettable BrewWithAView.

Be bold and different this Valentine’s Day.

Spoil your loved one with a one of our kzncraftbeer gift packs this V-day. Or, bring 4 friends for one of our epic brewery tours. http://lionsriverbrewery.co.za/.

News supplied by Lions River Craft Brewery.

5 February 2020 – It has been brought to the attention of the organisers of the annual aQuellé Midmar Mile that there are reports and concerns circulating with regards to the water quality at Midmar Dam following the Mpophomeni Wastewater Works spillage last year, and the safety of swimmers at the event this weekend, from 8-9 February.

These concerns are completely unfounded.

Race organiser Wayne Riddin explained: “These reports are disingenuous. The water is perfectly safe to swim in. The spill was on the other side of the dam (some 6km from the race course) and was contained.

“We have done extensive testing and the E.coli levels are in fact lower than any dam in the country – lower also than any of the previous events in the many years I have been involved. There is no way we as the organisers would place the health of thousands of entrants at risk. As the event organiser, I myself would be prepared to drink the water at any stage along the course.

“The Capital K event was successfully completed in December without incident or medical issues from swimmers. The race is going ahead as planned and we expect a phenomenal weekend of festivities as usual.”

News supplied.

British swimming star Ashley Hogg has come nail-bitingly close to victory at the aQuellé Midmar Mile, and he’s determined this time he’ll top the podium.

Hogg will be one of the main international threats, along with American Brendan Casey, in the main men’s race when the world’s largest open water swimming event takes place at Midmar Dam this weekend, from 8-9 February.

 Picture above Ashley Hogg photo credit: Jetline Action Photo.