Kerin, who has swum all over the world in nearly every kind of condition and venue, utilized his navigational IQ in the 8 km race to win the R10,000 first prize with ease in 1:38:34.
“The conditions were great for a race such as this. I like [the 3-foot] waves – that’s the whole point of open water swimming.”
25-year-old Durban lifesaver Luke Nisbet completed the swim from Hobie Beach in 1:47:26 to finish second with local Michael Marais in third in 1:57:48.
Unlike Kerin‘s comfortable victory, 18-year-old Dominique Dryding from Cape Town was involved in a battle to the bitter end with 16-year-old Nicole Brits from Durban in the women’s race. After swimming shoulder to shoulder, Dominique burst through and out of the surf zone to snatch victory by a mere 9 seconds in 1:55:24. Local Sanmari Woithe used her hometown knowledge to take third in 2:06:09.
“It’s my first time at the Bell Buoy – I didn’t expect it to be as tough,” said Dominique. “Nicole was on my heels throughout the race.”
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.