Every February, thousands of swimmers take to the water at Midmar Dam in KwaZulu-Natal, but for those taking part in the aQuellé Midmar Mile Charity Challenge, every stroke carries extra meaning.
Since its launch in 2016, the Challenge has raised over R22 million rand for charities across South Africa. And this year, the National Council of and for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) is joining the cause as one of the official charities.
For Paralympian-turned-community champion Adri Visser, the partnership feels like coming full circle. “When I retired as a Paralympic swimmer in 2016, I wasn’t sure if I would be swimming Midmar again. And then I just felt like I really wanted to do it recreationally for 2025.
“I started training for it and I really enjoyed it, and I got to connect with [race director] Wayne Riddin again and it was just so nice to be back in the community that I was a part of for 16 years,” explained Visser, who was born with no hands and only one leg but went on to set six African records in the pool.
Visser, who works at the NCPD, immediately wanted to get involved beyond just swimming across the dam. “Midmar is a big supporter of disability swimming… we had a nice chat, and Wayne agreed to make NCPD a charity for 2026 and going forward.”
Four swimmers will be raising funds for the NCPD during the Charity Challenge, which takes place over two days, from 5-6 February, before the main races are contested on 7-8 February. Among them is Riddin himself, who will take on the 8-mile Challenge while part of the funds being raised by Sydney Olympic medallist Terence Parkin and Reino von Wielligh (who are tackling a gruelling 32km over the weekend) will also be added to the cause.
Also among those swimmers is one of the youngest to take on the 8-Mile Challenge, 14-year-old Connor Crutchley. “He had head surgery just when he was born. So he knows what it’s like to almost have a disability that could affect the rest of your life. But he’s recuperating, and he’s doing it because it’s a good cause towards his life story as well,” said Visser.
For the NCPD, apart from raising vital funds, the partnership is also about visibility, advocacy, and giving people with disabilities a voice. As Visser puts it: “It makes you realise that your work is not just the work, it’s passion, it’s about giving back to the community and giving a voice for a person with a disability, a voice they don’t have themselves.”
With millions already raised through the aQuellé Midmar Mile Charity Challenge over the years, the NCPD’s inclusion promises to add even more heart to the world’s largest open-water swimming event.
“I’m hoping that it will grow more than what it is now. My heart is set on more than 20 swimmers [raising money] for 2027… I think just to see a little bit of growth would be amazing,” said Visser.
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