News & Media
Olympian Weber targeting Midmar glory
30 January 2020 – She’s one of the country’s top open water swimming prospects, targeting her second Olympic Games, but for Michelle Weber, the aQuellé Midmar Mile is all about the festive vibe. The 2016 champion has been competing in the event from the age of 11,...
Extended aQuellé Midmar Mile entry deadline approaching
23 January 2020 – Swimmers still planning to take part in the 2020 aQuellé Midmar Mile are encouraged to get their entries in as soon as possible, as the deadline for pre-entry is just days away. With organisers anticipating a late influx of entries for the world’s...
Ho targets eighth Midmar crown
21 January 2020 – KwaZulu-Natal Swimmer Chad Ho will be chasing an elusive eighth title when he takes on a strong international field at the famous aQuellé Midmar Mile, taking place near Howick from 8-9 February. The two-time Olympian last won the race in 2016, when...
Three reasons to enter a seeding event
You may have seen the term “seeding event” being used on the aQuellé Midmar Mile website or on our Facebook page, but not been sure what this refers to. In a nutshell, a seeding event is a chance to have a practise run before the aQuellé Midmar Mile on 8-9 February....
Boost your freestyle form
Freestyle is the stroke chosen by many swimmers in the aQuellé Midmar Mile. While it is the first stroke that most of us learn as children and often considered the “easiest” stroke to master, there is strategy to this stroke, and following the tips below can make your...
Four ways open water is different to the pool and how to prepare for it
If you haven’t yet experienced the thrill of open water swimming, you’re in for an adventure! While the basics of your stroke remain the same, the dam is going to bring you challenges that you’ve never had to face in the pool – and with these challenges comes a whole...
The open-water swimming calendar for 2019/2020
Entries to all seeding events in the 2019/2020 swimming season are now open. These events form the prequel to the 47th annual aQuellé Midmar Mile, which will take place at Midmar Dam on 8 and 9 February 2020. The season starts with a splash at the Sun City Swim, which...
Race round-up of the 46th annual Mile
Despite a relatively chilly start to both days, conditions were optimal and the water relatively calm throughout the weekend for the 46th edition of the aQuellé Midmar Mile, held on 9 and 10 February. Thanks to the efforts of race director Wayne Riddin and his...
Everything you need to know about the 46th Mile
The lead up to the 46th aQuellé Midmar Mile, to be held on 9 and 10 February, is in its final stretch. With preparations well underway at Midmar Dam and registration ready to roll from Wednesday at Cascades Lifestyle Centre, race director Wayne Riddin and his team are...
146 official Midmar crossings and still going strong
For Mervyn Bremner, the best part of open water swimming is the feeling of total freedom. In 2019, Mervyn will attempt his 40th Consecutive aQuellé Midmar Mile – and his 147th to 154th Official Crossing of Midmar Dam. His love of swimming took him to the dam for the...
What’s to love about the Lake Heritage Water Festival?
Lake Heritage Water Festival 2019 is just days away, with 3km, 5km, 1 200m and 600m swim events to suit every swimmer. Rather than tell you why we think this event is so great, we decided to get a few of our swimmers to tell us why they love this event so much. Here’s...
Swimming eight miles to make a difference – meet Fallon Finlayson
Fallon Finlayson is a self-confessed water addict who took on her first aQuellé Midmar Mile in 2007. Looking back, she believes she was hooked right from the start. Two years later, she noticed that some people were swimming in special gold caps, and curiosity led her...
Swim your way to health and happiness
While it may seem like we’re preaching to the choir, here are some great reminders of why swimming is arguably the best form of exercise there is. If you’re battling to get into training mode now that the weather is warming up, read on for some great inspiration....
Keeping on track across Midmar Dam
One of the most common problems that swimmers experience is keeping track of where they are during their swim. It’s not uncommon to see competitors zig-zagging and going completely off course, and this is usually based on four things: Not knowing the course The...
Le Clos launches swim foundation
The sport of swimming continues to make a big splash in South Africa, as one of the World’s most decorated swimmers, Chad Le Clos announced the launch of his Foundation this week. The Chad Le Clos Foundation, which is partnering with the aQuellé Midmar Mile, the...
Unfogging your goggles
When it comes to open-water, it’s really important to be able to see where you’re going. Without this ability, your aQuellé Midmar Mile can easily become your aQuellé Midmar Mile and a Half. Due to the fact that the air inside your goggles is warmer than the water...
Race review: Cradle Moon Swim Challenge 2018
Sunday 25 November dawned bright and sunny at Cradle Moon Lakeside Game Lodge, and conditions were perfect for the much-anticipated Cradle Moon Swim Challenge. These good conditions held on just long enough for every event in the fun-filled morning to go off without a...
Splashes made at the 2018 Dis-Chem Sun City Swim
The day of the Dis-Chem Sun City Swim lived up to the resort's name, with plenty of sunshine and a beautiful day to go for a swim! Event 1 was a 3km swim, which splashed off at 8am. To no-one's surprise it was seven-time aQuellé Midmar Mile winner, Chad Ho, who was...
Meet Vanessa Earle — a disabled swimmer with a difference
Most people who had lost a leg two years earlier wouldn’t think about taking on their first aQuellé Midmar Mile – but Vanessa Earle is not most people. Having been a swimmer back in her school days, she had always wanted to add the Mile to her list of accomplishments,...
Open water swimming tips from a race veteran
44-time aQuellé Midmar Mile finisher, Martin Godfrey, took a break between training sessions to give us his five top tips for a successful crossing of Midmar Dam. Tip 1: Start training The sooner you get into the water, the better. Start out by doing 1 000 metres per...
