Altitude Swim at Lake Oanob: A festival of grit and glory
Open water swim
The shimmering waters of Lake Oanob transformed into a stage of courage and camaraderie last weekend as 79 swimmers, ranging in age from as young as 11 and as seasoned as 66, braved the high-altitude challenge of the Pupkewitz Nasfed Altitude Open Water Swim.
Competitors tested their endurance across distances of 750m, 1500m, 3000m, 5000m, and a thrilling 4x500m relay.
Each stroke carried weight beyond the dam’s surface, as official times from the event will feed into the Namibian national open water championship later this month, the selection to the South African nationals in February, and even international qualifying events in the 3 km and 5 km categories.
Among the high-profile athletes was Phillip Seidler, Namibia’s two-time Olympian and international open water swimming contender. The 27-year-old Swakopmunder’s presence electrified the atmosphere, inspiring young swimmers and underscoring Namibia’s rising profile on the global swimming stage.
The event was not only about winning and prize money, but a celebration of community. Parents, coaches, and supporters lined the shores, cheering every finish and turning Lake Oanob into a festival of sport, resilience, and togetherness.
The swimmers displayed grit, strength and spirit, proving that altitude and cold waters are no match for their determination.
Organisers expressed a heartfelt thank you to the Pupkewitz Foundation, whose generous sponsorship continues to fuel the growth of open water swimming in Namibia.
Nasfed’s Open Water Committee, backed by a tireless team of volunteers, orchestrated a seamless event that showcased both professionalism and passion.
With momentum building, anticipation now turns to the Namibian national open water championship at the end of November. If this weekend was any indication, Namibia’s swimmers are ready to make waves not only locally but across Africa and the world.
The leading individual winners:
5 KILOMETRE OPEN WATER
• Men 14-15 – Jiao, Naan (Dolphins) 1:07:44.
• Men 16-17 – Esterhuizen, Lorenzo (Aqua) 1:07:44.
• Men 18-19 – Durand, Oliver (Dolphins) 1:07:42.
• Men 20 & Over – Seidler, Phillip (Swakopmund) 59:18.
• Women 14-15 – Rey, Candice (Aqua) 1:15:58.
• Women 16-17 – Bergh, Madison (Aqua) 1:11:45.
• Men 45 & Over – Sonntag, Philipp 1:35:13.
• Women 45 & Over – Sickel, Ilona 1:29:29.
3 KILOMETRE OPEN WATER
• Men 14-15 – Engelhard, Victor (Dolphins) 44:32.
• Men 16-17 – Marggraff, Alex (Dolphins) 40:36.
• Men 18-19 – Buchert, Jörn (Swakopmund) 45:59.
• Men 25-44 – Lamprecht, Lushano (Stones Water Polo Club) 47:30.
• Men 25-44 – Maree, Frans 55:18.
• Men 45 & Over – Brinkmann, Peter (Stones Water Polo Club) 51:19.
• Women 25-44 – Obholzer, Sonja 57:12.
• Women 45 & Over – Hucke-McFarlane, Imme 58:18.
750 METRE OPEN WATER
• Boys 11-13 – Badenhorst, Oelof (Dolphins) 11:54.
• Men 14-15 – Riha, Thomas 14:02.
• Men 16-17 – Kotze, Darius (Marlins) 14:06.
• Men 20 & Over – Seidler, Phillip (Swakopmund) 9:34.
• Girls 11-13 – Dippenaar, Katja (Dolphins) 14:20.
• Women 14-15 – Mahdy, Nadien (Dolphins) 14:21.
• Men 25-44 – Makoena, Allan (Aqua) 15:27.
• Women 25-44 – Erni, Gabi 16:41.
• Women 45 & Over – Platt, Kashmira (Aqua) 15:33.
1.5 KILOMETRE OPEN WATER
• Boys 11-13 – Durand, Patrick (Dolphins) 23:50.
• Men 14-15 – Jiao, Naan (Dolphins) 22:46.
• Men 16-17 – Esterhuizen, Lorenzo (Aqua) 21:56.
• Men 18-19 – Durand, Oliver (Dolphins) 21:44.
• Men 20 & Over – Seidler, Phillip (Swakopmund) 19:51.
• Girls 11-13 – Joubert, Laila (Aqua) 26:01.
• Women 14-15 – Marschall, Kyra (Marlins) 28:59.
• Women 16-17 – Bergh, Madison (Aqua) 23:49.
• Women 20 & Over – Menton, Sandra (Aqua) 34:36.
• Men 25-44 – Cowley, Tristan 27:11.
• Women 45 & Over – Young, Cheryl (Marlins) 31:20.
Competitors tested their endurance across distances of 750m, 1500m, 3000m, 5000m, and a thrilling 4x500m relay.
Each stroke carried weight beyond the dam’s surface, as official times from the event will feed into the Namibian national open water championship later this month, the selection to the South African nationals in February, and even international qualifying events in the 3 km and 5 km categories.
Among the high-profile athletes was Phillip Seidler, Namibia’s two-time Olympian and international open water swimming contender. The 27-year-old Swakopmunder’s presence electrified the atmosphere, inspiring young swimmers and underscoring Namibia’s rising profile on the global swimming stage.
The event was not only about winning and prize money, but a celebration of community. Parents, coaches, and supporters lined the shores, cheering every finish and turning Lake Oanob into a festival of sport, resilience, and togetherness.
The swimmers displayed grit, strength and spirit, proving that altitude and cold waters are no match for their determination.
Organisers expressed a heartfelt thank you to the Pupkewitz Foundation, whose generous sponsorship continues to fuel the growth of open water swimming in Namibia.
Nasfed’s Open Water Committee, backed by a tireless team of volunteers, orchestrated a seamless event that showcased both professionalism and passion.
With momentum building, anticipation now turns to the Namibian national open water championship at the end of November. If this weekend was any indication, Namibia’s swimmers are ready to make waves not only locally but across Africa and the world.
The leading individual winners:
5 KILOMETRE OPEN WATER
• Men 14-15 – Jiao, Naan (Dolphins) 1:07:44.
• Men 16-17 – Esterhuizen, Lorenzo (Aqua) 1:07:44.
• Men 18-19 – Durand, Oliver (Dolphins) 1:07:42.
• Men 20 & Over – Seidler, Phillip (Swakopmund) 59:18.
• Women 14-15 – Rey, Candice (Aqua) 1:15:58.
• Women 16-17 – Bergh, Madison (Aqua) 1:11:45.
• Men 45 & Over – Sonntag, Philipp 1:35:13.
• Women 45 & Over – Sickel, Ilona 1:29:29.
3 KILOMETRE OPEN WATER
• Men 14-15 – Engelhard, Victor (Dolphins) 44:32.
• Men 16-17 – Marggraff, Alex (Dolphins) 40:36.
• Men 18-19 – Buchert, Jörn (Swakopmund) 45:59.
• Men 25-44 – Lamprecht, Lushano (Stones Water Polo Club) 47:30.
• Men 25-44 – Maree, Frans 55:18.
• Men 45 & Over – Brinkmann, Peter (Stones Water Polo Club) 51:19.
• Women 25-44 – Obholzer, Sonja 57:12.
• Women 45 & Over – Hucke-McFarlane, Imme 58:18.
750 METRE OPEN WATER
• Boys 11-13 – Badenhorst, Oelof (Dolphins) 11:54.
• Men 14-15 – Riha, Thomas 14:02.
• Men 16-17 – Kotze, Darius (Marlins) 14:06.
• Men 20 & Over – Seidler, Phillip (Swakopmund) 9:34.
• Girls 11-13 – Dippenaar, Katja (Dolphins) 14:20.
• Women 14-15 – Mahdy, Nadien (Dolphins) 14:21.
• Men 25-44 – Makoena, Allan (Aqua) 15:27.
• Women 25-44 – Erni, Gabi 16:41.
• Women 45 & Over – Platt, Kashmira (Aqua) 15:33.
1.5 KILOMETRE OPEN WATER
• Boys 11-13 – Durand, Patrick (Dolphins) 23:50.
• Men 14-15 – Jiao, Naan (Dolphins) 22:46.
• Men 16-17 – Esterhuizen, Lorenzo (Aqua) 21:56.
• Men 18-19 – Durand, Oliver (Dolphins) 21:44.
• Men 20 & Over – Seidler, Phillip (Swakopmund) 19:51.
• Girls 11-13 – Joubert, Laila (Aqua) 26:01.
• Women 14-15 – Marschall, Kyra (Marlins) 28:59.
• Women 16-17 – Bergh, Madison (Aqua) 23:49.
• Women 20 & Over – Menton, Sandra (Aqua) 34:36.
• Men 25-44 – Cowley, Tristan 27:11.
• Women 45 & Over – Young, Cheryl (Marlins) 31:20.
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