The icy 29th annual polar bear swim events will be hosted at venues in the Northern Cape, Free State, and for the first time, the Western Cape.
During the 2024 Goldco Spares Polar Bear Swim events, also called the “Ysbeertjie”, swimmers can expect water temperatures to range from an average of 3 °C to 8 °C. Depending on the wind, the air temperature can be even colder.
The first polar bear swim to take place this year is the Free State Goldfields event on Saturday, 29 June, at 12:00 at Allemanskraaldam in the Willem Pretorius Game Reserve near Ventersburg, where approximately 300 swimmers are expected.
The Bloemfontein swim event is on 6 July at 12:00, at the Doringbos venue which is 35 km outside the city along the R64 road. This can attract up to 200 swimmers. The social 4×4 event will coincide with this.
The most challenging swim might be the one on 13 July at 12:00 at the Rogge Cloof Private Nature Reserve outside Sutherland due to extreme conditions high in the mountains, where even snow can be expected.
A fourth swim event is set to take place on 20 July at Victoria Bay, close to George in the Western Cape.
It was 29 years ago that Felix Burri presented the first polar bear swim event in the Northern Free State. The aim was, and still is, to raise funds for identified charities. At each event, the terrain access fee of R100 per vehicle is donated directly to a local identified charity.
At Allemanskraaldam, the fees go to the Rotary Club of Odendaalsrus; at Bloemfontein to the Therapéa Children’s Home; in Sutherland to the Johenco Home for the Aged; and the charity for the swim at Victoria Bay will be announced.
This year’s target is to raise R25 000.
Entering for the swim event costs R100 per person, who must be ten years or older on the day of the event. Each swimmer will receive a full colour medal, and refreshments will be available.
For more information on the 4 x 4 event at Doringbos, dial 066-118-7957.
For more information on the events and accommodation, visit the Polar Bear/Ysbeer Swem page on Facebook, or call Felix Burri on 082-851-4584 for general enquiries.
