The Snyman family is set to make a big splash at this year’s SPAR River Mile when all seven members take to the water for the 90th edition of the Nelson Mandela Bay swimming festival on February 15 and 16.
It will be the second outing at the Sundays River event for the Somerset East farming family, which they hope will become an annual tradition.
“We set a goal to try and do it every year until all of us can swim the full mile,” said mom Suzanne (36).
“We love spending quality time together and this is a lovely family event where we can be together and enjoy the excitement of it all.”
She said it had been a huge challenge for them to take on South Africa’s oldest open-water swim last year but that it had been well organised and a great experience.
“Our daughters Liani, Zaanri and Inge are competitive swimmers – they swim with Aquabear Club – but this was our first open-water swim.”
The five Snyman children, who range in age from five to 14, attend Gill Primary and Gill College.
“We are so privileged to have a pool at the school where we can practise, and we also train in a dam on the farm,” said Suzanne.
Last year, she and husband Petri (40), son Pierre (14), Zaanri (12) and Liani (10) swam the feature races, while Inge (7) took part in the Kids Across the River race in her age group.
“I’ve entered Inge for that event again, while our youngest, Hennie, will also swim across the river.”
She said they expected to be able to swim the full distance as a family within the next four years.
According to SPAR Eastern Cape marketing manager Abri Swart, the Snymans exemplified the retailer’s own brand values.
“We believe in promoting a healthy, active lifestyle through our events and encouraging families to spend quality time together.”
The weekend festival kicks off at Cannonville on the Saturday with the fun run, off-road cycle, half-mile swim and wetsuit mile events.
It continues the following day with the kids’ swimming races, including one for children with special needs.
The event culminates in the two feature races – the SPAR Ladies’ Mile and SPAR Men’s Mile – on the Sunday afternoon.
A variety of entertainment will be on offer, including food and craft stalls, a kids’ zone, beer garden and comic relief provided by Gino Fabbri.
Entrance to the festival is free for children younger than 10 and participants wearing the race wristband. All other spectators pay R20.
Enter at www.rivermile.co.za or find SPAR EC in Action on Facebook for more information.
The Snyman family from Somerset East will be making their second appearance at the SPAR River Mile Festival on the Sundays River on February 15 and 16. Pictured here with their 2013 finishers’ medals are, from left, mom Suzanne, Zaanri, Pierre and dad Petri, with Inge and Liani in front.
Photo: Supplied
Issued by:
Full Stop Communications
Coetzee Gouws
082 575 7991
041 368 4992
coetzee@fullstopcom.com
www.fullstop.co.za
On behalf of:
SPAR Eastern Cape