MOSSEL BAY NEWS - The Ironman 70.3 competition is taking place in Mossel Bay this coming Sunday, 17 November.
On its Facebook page, Mossel Bay Advertiser asked Ironman participants how they felt about the swimming section of the competition in light of the seal attacks on swimmers during October.
There were some humorous replies from entrants and the Mossel Bay public.
The contest consists of, firstly a 1.9km swim from Santos to De Bakke beach, then a 90.1km cycle and lastly a 21.1km run.
Commotion
Regarding the seal attacks, Werner Smit, the Ironman race director, points out that “marine life is not attracted to the commotion of thousands of swimmers in the water, with the noise of boats, jet skis, paddle boarders and kayaks which monitor the swimmers”.
Smit said Ironman organisers had “worked extensively and liaised with marine biologists, conservation authorities, the state vet, the SPCA, the conservation officer of Mossel Bay Municipality, Disaster Management and the police”.
Water safety strategy
He noted: “We have discussed the problem in detail and understand it. We have a comprehensive water safety strategy at all our events. It includes local lifesaving clubs, jet skis, inflatable rubber ducks and people on paddle boards and kayaks.”
In light of the recent seal attacks, he added: “We have an additional boat and drone dedicated to be on the lookout for, and assess seals on the course periphery, should there be any.
Medical team
“Our medical team is also equipped with the necessary medical protocols to deal with such a possibility.”
Smit said entries for the competition, which has a limited course capacity, sold out in early August, earlier than last year, indicating an even greater interest in the race this year.
In this year's race, there have been 2 600 individual athlete entries, which include 25 professional athletes.
In addition to that, there are 73 relay teams, in which the swim, cycle and run disciplines are shared between two to three people in a relay format.
Relay teams
Two interesting local relay teams competing are the Eden Protocol team of Ann Strauss, Francois Botha and Emile Nel and the team of Mossel Bay mayor Dirk Kotzé, his communications officer Aydn Parrott and Mossel Bay Tourism chief operations officer Lieschke Steven-Jennings.
Eden Protocol is a public benefit organisation which raises funds for children in need.
Record
They held the Ice Bucket Challenge on 30 October to break a record and to raise funds for needy children.
Ironman athletes must be 18 years or older and they compete in various age groups, such as 18 to 24, 25 to 29 and so forth.
Smit notes that people can download the Ironman App and search for athletes according to their names and race numbers and follow their progress.
Chip
“Timing mats are spread over the course.
"Each athlete has a chip and when the timing mat reads the chip, it is recorded on the App.”
Information on how many entries are from Mossel Bay and the Garden Route is not available, he said.
But Smit says there are 1 017 athletes from the Western Cape.
The oldest athlete competing is 77 years old.
Countries
The number of athletes competing from countries outside South Africa is 121. Besides South Africa, entries have been received from Germany, Switzerland, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Namibia, France, Poland, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France and more.
Most of the entries are in the 25 to 29 age group, followed by the 30 to 34 age group and the 35 to 39 age group.
Swimmers taking to the water at Santos Beach during the Ironman competition last year, November. Photo: Jannie du Plessis
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