Share

Big 5 Challenge: Lagoon swim

Stage 2 - the Big 5 Challenge, presented by Sport24 - part of the Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival

Knysna - A perfect morning for a 1.85km (1 Nautical Mile) swim in water temperature around the 11.5 degrees. The sun was out by 09:00 but it was still well below 9 degrees and luckily the wind only started picking up after the start of the swim. Today was always going to be a big test for me as I have done almost no swimming in preparation, and haven’t been in open water or my wetsuit since October 2013.

The first 700m and final 700m was freezing cold, but the section around the Island in the harbour was really nice and smooth swimming. The organisers would really spoil us should they rather consider doing laps around the Island, mostly near perfect water, no current and warm-ish water.

I had a great swim, no pressure and just enjoyed every stroke finishing in 39 minutes over 1.9km (according to my Garmin) which was my goal (2min/100m for the more technical people). Personally for me it was a super choice of event for the second stage of the Big 5 Challenge, as we had to choose between the mile-swim, a 100km road cycle or a 25km paddle, but I still lost 18 spots on the Big 5 Challenge overall standing.

Saying that, with three more events to go I’m still feeling very fresh.

Monday is a rest day, and I will be taking the kids on a 3km hike through the Harkerville Forest as part of the FNB Family Forest Hike, while my wife will be running the 10km option. I’m hoping my Puma Faas300 will be walked in by Tuesday to tackle the 15km Featherbed Trail run.

Today’s result for the male division was a big surprise seeing Leon Erasmus and Stuart Marais being tied on the top of the leader board, while Carla van Huyssteen extended her lead as overall leading lady with a impressive swim.

Please follow Tiaan as he competes in the #Big5Challenge as editor of EnduroHub: www.facebook.com/tiaanp Twitter: @tiaanp10 Instagram: tiaanp10

See all the results of the 22km Lagoon Challenge HERE, and for the #Big5Challenge HERE
We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
26% - 1271 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1469 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2240 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE