Ice water swimmer Reino von Wielligh heads to warmer waters at the aQuellé Midmar Mile

JOHANNESBURG – South African ice swimmer, Reino von Wielligh, competed in the freezing waters of Molveno, Italy and is now heading to the warmer KwaZulu-Natal, where he’ll tackle the 16-mile Charity Challenge at the aQuellé Midmar Mile.

"I feel overwhelmed with my performances at the 6th IISA World Champs to represent South Africa with my fellow 'Ice Boks' and by placing with three overall medals," said Von Wielligh.

The athlete 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.

"Considering that the water temperature over the few days ranged from 1.1 degrees to 1.8 degrees Celsius with the air temperature at most of my swims ranging between -2 and  -6 degrees Celsius, I managed to achieve a bronze in the 1,000m, which is the main race of the Ice Swimming World Champs, where the King and Queen of the ice are determined. I also managed to medal with a silver in the 500m and achieved another bronze in the 250m, where I also set a new age group world record, so I am really chuffed with my performances representing South Africa at Worlds."

Von Wielligh told EWN that he took up ice swimming after surviving a tragic accident. The sport involves swimming 1,000m in water under 5 degrees Celsius in only a speedo/jammer, a cap, and goggles.

"In 2022, I was in an accident where my girlfriend at the time passed away. As swimming was the only constant in my life through school, varsity and work, where it is just you and the water, it was what kept me going, and since I always wanted to do a Robben Island Crossing, I got the opportunity to swim it in April 2022 and it was then when I was noticed by Ram Barkai and Sam Whelpton (previous 16-mile swimmers at Midmar) that I really took the colder water really well and I was asked to come to join the SA Nationals Ice swimming competition to try it out."

In August 2022, he competed at the SA nationals in Matroosberg, where he qualified to compete at his first Ice Swimming World Champs, the fifth World Champs in Samoens, France.

READ: Swimmer Muhammed Adam gears up for aQuellé Midmar Mile

At the 2023 World Championships, Reino made history by breaking African and South African records in the 1,000m, 500m, and 100m freestyle events. His performance earned him a world record in the 30-35 age group.

"I have been preparing for the Midmar Mile as well, and luckily most of the training overlaps, as I train in the distance squad. Besides the water being about 20 degrees warmer at Midmar, my first challenge at Midmar starts with the 16 Mile Charity Challenge on Thursday and Friday, where I will be swimming 16 miles to raise funds for Happy Bundles, and the amazing work they do every year assisting children that has been affected by cancer, ensuring a moment of joy.

"This is the one time in a year when we are able to use our love for swimming to give back to the community and charities near to our hearts. If you are able and can donate to Happy Bundles please do so on - Reino von Wielligh is raising funds for Happy Bundles | kydrin foundation."

The exciting showdown at the world’s largest open-water race takes place in KwaZulu-Natal from 6-9 February.

"With regards to the Midmar Mile race weekend, I look forward to competing in my new age category event 6 – 31 and over, and I think if I could podium in that category, it would add to my recent Ice Swimming World Champs achievements. So, I am looking forward to competing at Midmar and it is always nice to see familiar faces each year."