How Midmar Mile will put safety first

The world's largest open water swimming event will be held at Midmar dam. Photo: Terry Haywood

The world's largest open water swimming event will be held at Midmar dam. Photo: Terry Haywood

Published Feb 4, 2016

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Durban - The organisers of the 43rd Midmar Mile, the world’s largest open water swimming event, loved by young and old alike, will this year make water safety a “huge priority”.

Race organisers said on Wednesday that in the light of the history of the Mile, in which three swimmers drowned in separate incidents since 2011, everything possible is being done to ensure swimmers’ water safety was well protected.

Race organiser, Wayne Riddin, made these comments at the media launch of the Aquelle Midmar Mile in Pietermaritzburg on Tuesday.

He said the swimmers who had drowned had coincidentally all participated in the company relay event, and so this year it was compulsory for all participants in the company relay to wear safe swimmer devices.

These are bright orange buoys designed to provide a safety aid to open water swimmers.

Riddin said 3 000 safe swimmer devices had been provided for this year’s event, which swimmers would collect at the start.

Another safety feature comprises the tag timing chip that all swimmers would be fitted with when they registered at the start of the race.

This chip would allow organisers to record when a swimmer entered and left the water. A barcoded tag would also be assigned to each swimmer as a back-up to the chip.

Lifeguards and navy divers would also be deployed to assist swimmers in the event they required assistance.

Meanwhile, it was good news for swimmers regarding the water quality of the Midmar. According to Riddin, Umgeni Water had declared the water in Midmar Dam healthy and safe enough to drink.

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