The popular Polar Bear Swim (Ysbeertjie) took place at Aldam at the Willem Pretorius Game Reserve near Ventersburg, Free State, on Saturday 28 June.
Some 160 brave swimmers took to the chilly waters of the dam at 12:00, with a day temperature of 9°C and a water temperature of 5°C. A chilly wind cut the air. The oldest swimmer was 69 years old.
This year marks the 30th year of Polar Bear swim that has been held every year (except during Covid-19) right here in the Goldfields area.
This year the funds raised at the gate were used to fund Search and Rescue SA (Sarza) for the day’s expenses. The Goldfields branch manned the gate and supplied the support services to the event.
The multiple sclerosis group from Sasolburg joined in the fun. MS sufferer Rozaan Steyn lead a team of seven swimmers to raise awareness of MS and the survivors of MS. The were cheered on by family and friends on the banks of the dam.
The Sarza was the principle beneficiary of funds raised from gate takings, as well as profits from food sales, donations and auction.
Swimmers from as far as Gauteng (Alberton), the Northern Cape (Kathu) and the Eastern Free State (Bethlehem and Clarens) took to the icy waters to join locals from Odendaalsrus, Welkom, Virginia, Winburg, Kroonstad, Hennenman and Ventersburg.
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