Olympic swim stars Ryk Neethling and Mandy Loots are set to be among a host of top swimmers in action at Swimming SA’s 24 Hour Swimathon 2010 at the Ellis Park Swimming Pool from noon on Friday, 5 March through to the same time the following day.

Add in the possibility of having the event listed in the Guinness World Records for having the most swimmers involved in a 24 hour swim relay, as well as the opportunity to raise funds for the national aquatics federation’s Learn to Swim programme, and March is set to be a month to remember for swimming enthusiasts.

With over 4000 elite and development swimmers each having to complete the 20 metres length of the swimming pool in order to keep the Guinness World Record™ attempt on course, the fund-raising exercise will be a major boost for the coffers of the Learn to Swim Programme with each swimmers entered at R20.

Individuals, club swimmers, master swimmers as well as corporate companies are equally welcome to participate in the event.

Participants can arrive on the day to enter for the event or pre-enter using the entry form available on SSA’s website. In addition to participating in the world record attempt, the public is also invited to enter SSA’s race categories where swimmers can make up their own teams for relays!

The funds raised via this initiative will allow for the Learn to Swim programme to place portable pools in communities that do not have swimming facilities, especially in the rural areas. Throughout the year, the Learn to Swim programme raises water safety awareness in schools and facilities in an effort to curb drownings around the country.

“The Swimming SA 24 Hour Swimathon 2010 is a fundraising occasion which will unite swimming adults, celebrities and children in a mass participation event to highlight the plight of the millions of South Africans who can’t yet swim,” said Swimming SA CEO Shaun Adriaanse.

“At Swimming SA, we consider the ability to swim a basic life skill which every child in South Africa has the right to learn and stand firmly by our slogan of making every child a swimmer.”

“The Learn to Swim Programme thus puts a strong priority on children and adults in previously disadvantaged areas.”

Entry: please visit www.swimsa.co.za
Where: Ellis Park Swimming Pool, Park Street, New Doornfontein (next to Ellis Park Rugby Stadium)
When: 5–6 March. Starting at midday Friday 5 March and ending midday Saturday 6 March
What do you need to do: Each swimmer needs to swim one length of 20-metre pool as part of the complete 24-hour relay.
Additional fun races and spot prizes: In addition to participating in the world record attempt, you are invited to enter our race categories – make up your own team for the relays!