Challenge your fears
Challenge your open water swimming fears with Nelson Mandela Bay's Bell Buoy Challenge, an eco-swim to highlight the plight of Algoa Bay, a massive marine eco system which is sadly being decimated.
Ocean Swim from Hobie Beach to the Bell Buoy and Back.
This crossing (approximately 7km), first achieved by Eastern Cape solo swimmer Kyle Main when he did a solo double crossing during the 2009 MTN Nelson Mandela Bay Splash Festival, attracted over 50 swimmers in 2010 including eventual winners - Petar Stoychev (Bulgarian Olympic swimmer) and Melissa Gorman (Australian Olympic swimmer and 2009 5km World Champion).
Categories
Three categories for 2011 - a Solo category, wetsuit category and a Team category. Only FINA approved open water swim suits will be permitted in the solo category.
Teams will consist of 4 swimmers and a safety craft, with each swimmer doing a quarter of the overall route.
Minimum Age
The age limit for the 2011 swim is a minimum of 14 years of age in accordance with the FINA rules for open water swimming (OWS 1.2).
Support Craft
All solo swimmers are required to have their own water safety craft (min length 5m). Teams are required to have a motorised craft min length 6m.
Prize Pool
Over R60,000 in prizes, trophies and medals up for grabs in 2011.
MTN Nelson Mandela Bay Splash Festival
Africa's largest Easter beach festival takes place at Hobie Beach Port Elizabeth from Friday 22nd April through to Monday 25th April 2011. Check out the website
www.splashfestival.com to see the full list of exciting events and entertainment which will be on offer this year to captivate over 600,000 visitors to the festival.