Midmar Mile 2011

by Mr R. Neilson
(Ruddell Housemaster)

Good news travels fast and bad news travels even faster.

At a school like WHPS our best or worst ambassadors are our children. After a hectic weekend at the Midmar Mile what awaits us on Monday morning? An e-mail from Cordwalles, our hosts, concerning the weekend.

It was a heart warming letter complimenting our boys on their exceptional manners and gentlemanly conduct. The boys that came down on the mile were responsible in their independence and stretched their own boundaries.

My son only decided to swim Midmar a week prior to the race, after realising that if he could swim forty lengths at swimming practice, it probably meant he could swim a mile if he put his mind to it.

When we finally reached the other side and looked back across the hundreds of swimmers still in the water he remarked, "I can't believe that I've just swum that far."

Sometimes our boys don't realise what they are capable of. All the boys swam well, but there were a few exceptional achievements.

In the non-company team event, in which we participated, Connor was the first 10 year old with a time of 29 minutes. Wesley Wright swam in the individual event on Sunday with a 26 minute mile and ended 22nd out of a field of about 3000 swimmers.

Boys learned to face their fears. Believe me you try not to imagine what is down there in the murky depths. They participate against thousands of other swimmers and the effect it has on their self confidence is priceless.

All the families that came down with boys and daughters from DSG had a wonderful time at the dam. There was a great sense of community amongst parents and schools. I would love this event to grow.

I will however, have to start training now, because Barbie Craig the Headmistress of DSG has challenged me to swim the Double next year. I am not too certain if I can make three miles in a day, but like a true Whipsian, I just can't resist a challenge.