Get Ready for the Ultimate Splash!

The TeamFlippy Open Water Splash, powered by Bojos Café in Swakopmund, is set to take place this Thursday at the Swakopmund Mole. Two-time Olympian Phillip Seidler, the mastermind behind the event, explained that registration will start at 07:00, with the first race kicking off at 08:00 for the solo category swimmers. “These swimmers will cover a two-kilometer distance, completing a total of four rounds."

This year's event will also feature team categories, which include two-member and four-member teams.

"The team categories will begin their quest at 09:00. Each team will also swim a total of two kilometers. For the two-member category, each swimmer completes one kilometer before tagging their partner. In the four-member category, each swimmer completes a distance of 500 meters before tagging their teammate,” Seidler explained.

A new 50-meter kids’ category has also been introduced to inspire young swimmers, aiming to grow the sport and encourage the next generation of open-water swimmers.

“Perhaps the next Phillip Seidler will come from this generation and, hopefully, participate in the Olympics one day for open-water swimming. Additionally, I’m currently training underprivileged kids from the DRC Community Center, run by my aunt through the Helping Hands initiative. TeamFlippy is sponsoring 10 of these children to participate in the 50-meter splash. While they’re still learning to swim, they’ll definitely attend the event to be part of the community,” Seidler said.

The Namibian Navy has also entered swimmers this year. “We will have eight participants from the Navy who’ve entered two four-member teams for the relay event. Their participation is an honour for us. TeamFlippy has covered their entry fees, and we’re eager to see them in action. I’m thrilled about this event and look forward to seeing all participants come together on Thursday morning. It’s all about uniting the community, regardless of background, and promoting the spirit of sportsmanship,” said Seidler.

Team Erongo will also broadcast this event live, starting at 07:50, on OneUpTwo. Check out the socials of Erongo, Erongo Talk, SportWrap, Republikein, Namibian Sun, Allgemeine Zeitung, NTV, and Network Media Hub for the link.



Results from the 2023 edition are as follows:

Solo race top 10:

1 Nico Esslinger (20 minutes, 58 seconds)

2 Corné le Roux (22:25)

3 Arkell Wellmann (22:33)

4 Ayden Jiao (23:05)

5 Maja Brinkmann (24:14)

6 Peter Brinkmann (25:16)

7 Lisa Engelhard (25:23)

8 Robin Engelhard (25:26)

9 Jan Louis Mostert (25:29)

10 James Langford (25:30)



Solo race category winners

Junior male: 1 Nico Esslinger (20:58). 2 Ayden Naan (23:05). 3 Robin Engelhard (25:26).

Junior female: 1 Maja Brinkmann (24:14).

Senior male: 1 Corné le Roux (22:25), 2 Arkell Wellmann (22:33), 3 Peter Brinkmann (25:16).

Senior female: 1 Lisa Engelhard (25:23), Ilona Sickel (26:39), 3 Helen Oosthuizen (27:55).

Longest solo time, male: Heino Kittel (36:27).

Longest solo time, female: Barbara Kittel (41:00).



Teams of two

Overall first: 1 Krulpiele (Phillip Theissen and Konrad Marais) 26:17. 2 Diekmann Team (Jörn Diekmann and Daniella Diekmann) 26:47. 3 The Swedest Things (mom Lena Brinkmann and daughter Emma Brinkmann) 30:03.



Teams of four

Overall first: 1 The Badies (captain Sunel Badenhorst) 30:14. 2 TTS (captain Héléne Wiggett), 3 Splash Bojos (captain Bobby Jo Bassingthwaighte) 36:58.