Pretoria's ice swimming hero braces for Midmar challenge

Over 20 degrees separate the freezing waters of Molveno, Italy, where Pretoria swimmer Reino von Wielligh has been competing, and the much warmer KwaZulu-Natal dam, where he’ll soon tackle the 16-Mile Charity Challenge at next month’s aQuellé Midmar Mile.

Von Wielligh recently represented South Africa at the sixth Ice Swimming World Championships, earning multiple podium finishes in an event that brings together elite swimmers from around the globe to compete in near-freezing temperatures

“The water temperature over the few days ranged from 1.1 degrees to 1.8 degrees Celsius with air temperature at most of my swims at -2 degrees Celsius,” explained the intrepid 31-year-old, who claimed three medals in Italy.

“I'm really chuffed placing with three overall medals, third in the 1000m, which is the main race of the ice swimming world champs in the sense that it’s where the king and queen of the ice are determined. So coming third there I'm really, really chuffed. And I was second in the 500m, and third overall in the 250m where I also set a new age group world record,” he added.

Von Wielligh has now set his sights on completing a mile distance in the ice in Berlin on Wednesday before heading to warmer climes back home.

While the water temperature at Midmar Dam will be far more forgiving, the challenge ahead remains formidable, with Von Wielligh due to swim eight miles on 6 February and another eight on 7 February, all to raise money for children’s cancer charity, Happy Bundles, and then adding several more miles during the main racing part of the weekend. 

“It's nice to see everybody taking hands, getting together, raising money for charity, and especially the great work that Happy Bundles is doing... If people don't follow them on Instagram or Facebook I advise them to do so and just see the difference that these charities do make,” he explained. 

For Von Wielligh, the charity aspect of the challenge is deeply motivating and this will be the eighth time he is taking on the 16-mile challenge.

“The ice swimming world champs was really nice, I achieved some personal goals and I could see my results from there, but doing the 16 mile is that one time in a year where it's not about you. It's about doing something good and giving something back to the community… I think that's really important and that's something that keeps me motivated to come back and do the 16-mile challenge every year,” he said.

As for the competitive side of the aQuellé Midmar Mile, Von Wielligh is eager to take on a new challenge. Having recently moved into the 31-and-over age category, he’s setting his sights on claiming the title in his new division. Among his competitors will be his coach, former international swimmer Mark Randall.

“It's going to be an interesting swim where the swimmer and the coach race against each other,” he reckoned. 

“With my ice swimming results, being able to win the 31 and over category would really be rounding off my achievements so far for this year, if I can get that right.”

Those wishing to support Von Wielligh in raising funds for Happy Bundles can do so at: https://kydrin.co.za/goals/1942

Meanwhile, pre-entries for the aQuellé Midmar Mile remain open until Saturday, 25 January. Head to www.midmarmile.com for all the details.