Press Release - All systems go!

Media Release: Pretoria News Roode 1000 Swim

It is all systems go for the 14th Pretoria News Roode 1000 Swim that will take place this coming Sunday (29 January 2012) at the Baja Resort at Bronkhorstspruit Dam. This very popular open water swim has become one of the premier open water events on the swimming calendar and is also an official Swimming South Africa (SSA) sanctioned event.

The Pretoria News, after having been part of the Roode 1000 since the start of the event, were joined as sponsor by McCarthy Volkswagen and McCarthy Audi last year and has grown from strength to strength over the years. The Roode 1000 has acquired a name as a must for open water swimmers preparing for the Midmar Mile because of the date it is swum each year, but also as a “friendly” swim where families have fun at one of the best open water swimming venues in the country. Although a number of open water swims are taking place in the Gauteng and Mphumalanga areas in the run up to Midmar, the Roode has a lot of dedicated supporters who will again be there this year.

With open water swimming becoming more and more popular as a competitive as well as recreational sport worldwide, more opportunities have been created for local swimmers by SSA to compete internationally at Fina events. The fact that open water swimming is an Olympic event is also a big fac tor in the growth of the sport internationally. Some big names in open water swimming is therefore again expected to enter the Roode event which will have more than R12000 in prize money on offer on the day.

Water safety on the day is a big priority for the organisers and several meetings took place with the SAPS Water Wing and the Bronkhorstspruit Dam Gatekeepers Committee to ensure that all safety measures will be in place. Members of the Gauteng North Life Saving squad will again assist and accompany the swimmers during their swim. Resort owners as well as the Gatekeepers Committee are also very satisfied with the water quality of the dam which is tested on a regular basis and again this week.

Due to a lot of last minute entries the date for pre-entries has been extended to Thursday, 26 January 2012. Entry forms and more information is available on www.roode1000swim.com, and entries can also be done online (on sa-active.com). Entry forms will also be available at the Pro Swim Shop at Hillcrest Pool in Pretoria or Run-a-Way Sport at the Glenfair Shopping Centre or by contacting the organizers directly (Willem Theron: 0823764216 and Daniela du Preez: 0832608542)

23/1/12