Seven swimmers started the 7.5 km swim, but only three managed to finish.
“It was cold out there but I settled down and actually enjoyed the chilly water,” said winner Rebecca Newman [shown above], who completed her first cold water swim in just over two hours. “Newman has her sights on a Robben Island crossing,” commented race director Brenton Williams. “With the JBay Cold Water Classic in the bag; a successful crossing looms for Newman in the not-too-distant future.”
Defending champion Kevin Grey got stronger as the swim went on and finished second in 2 hours 7 minutes. Legendary Cape Town swimmer Theodore Yach completed the swim in 2 hours 23 minutes. “It was a great event and the water was a bit chilly at 11ºC, with a stiff wind against us,” said Yach after his swim.
Under the watchful eye of Coastal Water Rescue on the Eastern Cape, the tough conditions got the better of the other four starters in the 7.5 km swim, who all voluntarily withdrew from the race.
JC Van Wyk won the 2.5 km swim for the second year in a row with Chris de Chaves taking second position. 12-year-old Etienne Jordaan, the youngest swimmer on the day finished in third position. “Etienne took part in the Cold Water Classic last year and after succumbing to the cold water and having to withdraw, was determined to come back to Jeffreys Bay and complete the swim this year,” observed Williams.
South Africa also has another open water butterfly swimmer, with Kyle Harris completing the 2.5 km swim just doing butterfly. He swam the course with fellow butter flyer Williams. “We are happy to have established the Marina Martinique as a legitimate cold water swim venue and are stoked that swimmers from all over South Africa made the trip to Jeffreys Bay for the event,” said Williams.
The Cold Water Classic, presented by Nicholas Melck Properties forms part of the JBay WinterFest, a multi-sport festival that takes place every July in Jeffreys Bay.
Photos of Theodore Yach, Kyle Harris, Brenton Williams, and start by Dirk Erasmus. Photo of Rebecca Newman by Clive Wright.
Southern California native, born 1962, is the creator of the WOWSA Awards, Oceans Seven, Openwaterpedia, Citrus Corps, World Open Water Swimming Association, Daily News of Open Water Swimming, Global Open Water Swimming Conference. He is Chief Executive Officer of KAATSU Global and KAATSU Research Institute. Inductee in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Swimmer, Class of 2001) and Ice Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Contributor - Media, Class of 2019), recipient of the International Swimming Hall of Fame's Poseidon Award (2016), International Swimming Hall of Fame's Irving Davids-Captain Roger Wheeler Memorial Award (2010), USA Swimming's Glen S. Hummer Award (2007, 2010) and Harvard University's John B. Imrie Award (1984). Served on the FINA Technical Open Water Swimming Committee and as Technical Delegate with the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games, and 9-time USA Swimming coaching staff. Note: WOWSA only recommends products or services used or recommended by the community. WOWSA does not receive compensation for links or products mentioned on this site or in blog posts. If it does, it will be indicated clearly on that specific post. See WOWSA's privacy policy for more information.