CAPE TOWN-Over 200 swimmers braved Fish Hoek’s icy waters for this year’s Fish Hoek Mile Swim to help shelters in the Southern Peninsula.
The annual fundraiser started on Sunday morning 14 September with 250 participants shattering last year’s record, said race organiser and lifeguard at the Fish Hoek Lifesaving Club, Scott Tait.
In this event, the swimmers were tasked with starting the race from Clovelly Beach and finishing on the beach in front of Fish Hoek Surf Lifesaving Club.
The swim was originally planned for Saturday 13 September but the organising team decided to move it to the reserve day this year due to strong South East winds.
Over 200 swimmers took part in this year’s annual Fish Hoek Mile Swim. Photos: John Hishin 
Over 200 swimmers took part in this year’s annual Fish Hoek Mile Swim fundraiser that took place at Clovelly beach on Sunday morning 14 September. Read more on page: 4 Photo: John Hishin 
This year’s winners Amica de Jager and Simon Haddon. 
Junior champion, Samuel Mocke.
“We had a strong field comprising previous Fish Hoek mile winners, national lifesavers and many up and coming juniors from Fish Hoek Surf lined up for the Racing batch start at Clovelly at 08:30 that morning,” he said. “The ‘Adventure batch’ of non-racing swimmers started five minutes later. This year Simon Haddon was crowned as the victor of the swim.”
Haddon, a former national swimmer, led the way after the first buoy, with a large chasing pack that included defending champion Amica de Jager and 16-year-old Sam Mocke.
“Haddon maintained the blistering pace across the Bay and managed to hold off a hard charging Mocke to win the event in a time of 19.56,” he said,
Last year’s Open Men and Open Women Winners were Jarryd Cole and De Jager.
“De Jager was the first lady on the day and 4th Overall in 20.11 whilst 13-year-old Sarah Mocke claimed the Junior Ladies title and finished 9th overall. Fish Hoek Surf retained The Top Lifesaving Club award over Clifton Surf Club,” Tait said.
The swimmers also held a blanket and hygiene product drive for the Haven Shelter in Kalk Bay and the Happy Valley Home in Simon’s Town.
The hygienic products included a toothbrush, soap, toothpaste and deodorant, Tait added.
The club held the fundraiser to assist their voluntary lifeguarding and youth programmes for up to 700 children.
This year’s champion Haddon told People’s Post the weather conditions were perfect and the fundraiser well supported.
“It was my first time competing and I’m already looking forward to next year. I’d like to thank Fish Hoek Lifesaving Club and hopefully we get more simmers to join the fun next time,” Haddon said.
Tait commended the City for being supportive and approving their permit for the event.
. For more information contact Scott Tait at 076 156 2619.
