TAYLA Bruce faces a tough task as she aims for three in a row at the 5km Breathe World Ocean Day Swim sponsored by FNB at Durban Beach Club on Saturday morning.
Twelve months ago, the 19-year-old from Hillcrest cruised to a big victory of almost six minutes in the women’s event, and had to “race” the men to maintain her motivation in the home stretch.
The 2026 event could provide her with some much stiffer competition.
All three swimmers from the last year’s 5km podium are back to challenge Bruce’s attempt at a hat-trick.
Last year’s runner-up, Jenna-Mae Lally, will be hoping to take a step up, while event organiser and ultra-distance icon Sarah Ferguson, third last year, has been showing some impressive form in recent 3.2km Dolphin Mile Series swims.
Two other swimmers hoping to step up from the series are Abigale Meineke and Riley Naidoo.
In the men’s race, last year’s runner-up, Wayne Willetts, looks a good bet for the win from the pre-entries, however, with late entries being accepted on race day, there could be some surprises.
Another who will need to be watched closely is veteran Glen Gore who, like Ferguson, has been showing the youngsters that experience counts for a lot in ocean swimming with a win in the most recent 3.2km Dolphin Mile Series event.
In the 3.2km race on Saturday, Kadin Sharp could be the man to beat, while the women’s title looks to be a battle between last year’s 1.6km and 3.2km winners, Kadence Ribbink and Rene Sauerman respectively.
While many will focus on the racing, a record entry of almost 500 swimmers will also be taking part in support of Breathe Conservation and its efforts to reduce and remove plastic pollution.
All proceeds from the event go towards Breathe – a NPO set up by Ferguson – and their education programmes.
The 5km competitors will begin their two-lap challenge at 7am from the beach in front of Durban Beach Club. They will be followed at five-minute intervals by the one-lap 800m race, before the two-lap 3.2km event and one-lap 1.6km race get under way.
-Supplied
