Ice swimming champion Reino von Wielligh is gearing up for KwaZulu-Natal’s cold waters at Midmar Dam for the 52nd aQuellé Midmar Mile scheduled to take place from February 6 to the 9th.
Von Wielligh will dive into the water in hopes to raise R20 000 for Happy Bundles, an organisation for children living with cancer.
Von Wielligh recently represented South Africa at the sixth Ice Swimming World Championships in Italy, where global elite swimmers competed in near-freezing temperatures.
He earned three medals at the swimming competition.
The 31-year-old medal holder is set to compete in the 16-Mile Charity Challenge.
Von Wielligh will compete for the 16-Mile challenge title on the 6th and 7th next month. He will swim eight miles for each race.
Von Wielligh noted that it is worth swimming and raising funds for Happy Bundles, as the organisation has done remarkable work for its beneficiaries.
“It is nice to see everybody taking hands, getting together, raising money for charity, and especially the great work that Happy Bundles is doing,” he said.
The competition will not only add on to his miles, but it is about giving back and making a positive impact in one’s community.
Von Wielligh will be marking his eighth year 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 is not about you.
“It is about doing something good and giving something back to the community. I think that is really important and that is something that keeps me motivated to come back and do the 16-mile challenge every year,” he said.
Having moved into the 31-and-over age category, Von Wielligh is determined to claim the title in his new division, because he will be competing with his coach and former international swimmer, Mark Randall.
“It's going to be an interesting swim where the swimmer and the coach race against each other.
“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,” he said.
Von Wielligh will also be completing a mile distance in the ice in Berlin on Wednesday before heading to KZN.
Those wishing to support Von Wielligh in raising funds for Happy Bundles can do so at: https://kydrin.co.za/goals/1942
The Star