When Joanne Barnard embarked on swimming the aQuellé Midmar Mile for a good cause 12 years ago she set herself the target of raising R1 million for cancer charity CHOC.
The incredible amount of R217,000 she managed to add this year as the event’s top fundraiser has seen her surpassing that mark in 2025 and setting her sights on the next target.
Barnard was one of almost 300 swimmers who took in the 8 and 16-Mile Charity Challenge at Midmar Dam on Thursday and Friday, ahead of the main races which take place this weekend.
“It’s just the difference that it’s making in these children’s lives, it’s an emotional thing I must say,” explained the Cape Town swimmer. “I get to do the fun part, I get to swim and I get to be in the water… it is just such a blessing.
“If we can make a difference by getting in there, raising the money, it’s such a pleasure and honour to be part of it. Really, it goes so deep, it’s wonderful.”
As for the next challenge, 55-year-old Barnard added: “Now that I’ve got to a million I said to my husband: ‘OK, before 60 we have to get to two [million].’”
There were also some familiar faces on the banks of Midmar Dam on Saturday with four-time Olympic medallist Chad le Clos completing a mile in support of those swimming the eight to raise funds for the Chad le Clos Foundation.
“I haven’t done Midmar in about a decade,” he said. “So for me, personally, it’s just been amazing to be here with the foundation. I actually swam with six of my, teammates I could call them for today, and it was amazing that we crossed the line together and it’s just been a privilege to be here,” added Le Clos, who committed himself to taking part in the 8-Mile Challenge in 2026.
Among those completing this year’s 8-Mile Challenge were fellow Olympic medallist Terence Parkin and aQuellé Midmar Mile race director Wayne Riddin, who was swimming in memory of his brother, his best friend, and several other Midmar stalwarts who have recently passed away.
Riddin described the experience as truly special, with Parkin accompanying him on all eight crossings of the dam. Parkin and double amputee Chad Gifford were the ones to challenge Riddin to the 8-Mile swim.
Speaking after he finished, Gifford explained: “Wayne said to Terence and I: ‘You’re getting too lazy, you must do the 8-Mile again.’ So I said to Wayne: ‘If we have to do it then you must come and do it with us.’ So that’s how the deal was brokered.”
Gifford was accompanied on his final swim by two-time Olympic gold medallist and 2023 aQuellé Midmar Mile champion Sharon van Rouwendaal from the Netherlands, who will compete in the 31-40 category on Sunday.
Meanwhile, it was a family affair for former Midmar Mile champion Linda Adam who completed the 8-Mile Challenge with her daughters Julia Anderson and Angela Lawrence and friend Amanda Heinzelmann in aid of Pink Drive.
“The water’s really nice and warm, and the conditions were great,” said Adam afterwards. “And Wayne [Riddin] did it this time as well so we chirped each other each end, it was such fun,” added the Kokstad swimmer who won the Midmar title in the same year as Riddin – 1976.
There were plenty of celebrations for Catherine Bassage and Sheralee Jollife who completed their 10th 8-Mile Challenge, also for Pink Drive.
“It’s been the most awesome thing, we’ve had flat water, no hot sun, and I’ve swum with all different friends the whole way through. It’s been pretty cool,” said Bassage afterwards.
Adding what has kept her coming back to Midmar for the past 37 years, Jolliffe reckoned: “The camaraderie, the friendships that have been built over the years.”
A total of 12 swimmers completed the gruelling 16-Mile Challenge in support of Happy Bundles, with Reino von Wielligh proving to be the fastest of them, finishing his races in an impressive combined time of five hours 54 minutes and 43 seconds over the two days.
“At the end of the day, the second day is always tough whether you’re doing eight miles or 16, but I think that’s where you realise why you do it is on the second day. It’s for your chosen charity and making sure they get the exposure that they need as well as the funds we can raise for them,” said Von Wielligh, who will now set his sights on victory in the 31-40 age category as well as a top-10 spot in the men’s elite race on Sunday.
Swimming action continues at Midmar Dam, with the race for swimmers with a disability kicking things off on Saturday morning. Those still hoping to participate in the aQuellé Midmar Mile can enter at the dam on the day as online entries are closed. Swimmers are encouraged to arrive early to avoid disappointment.
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