Two New Zealand national champions, Louis Clark and Ruby Heath, have been added to the elite lineup for next month's aQuellé Midmar Mile.
This exciting development follows a partnership established by Swimming New Zealand’s new Olympic head coach, Graham Hill, and aQuellé Midmar Mile race director Wayne Riddin.
Hill previously served as South Africa's national coach and was keen to provide the male and female champions of the 5km race at the Apollo Projects New Zealand Open Water Swimming Championships, which took place last weekend, with the opportunity to compete at the famous KwaZulu-Natal race.
Both Clark, who is coached by Hill in Auckland, and Heath, who hails from Dunedin, won their respective 5km titles in a final sprint finish. Both have represented New Zealand on the international stage – Clark in both lifesaving and swimming – and are relishing the opportunity of now taking part in the world’s largest open water race which takes place just outside Howick from 6-9 February.
“I’m very excited to come to South Africa and race in the aQuellé Midmar Mile to gain experience and have the opportunity to race in a world-renowned event,” said Heath.
Clark reckoned: “I’ve heard nothing but incredible things about this event from my South African friends – they’ve all said it’s truly one of a kind. The atmosphere, with the crowd lining the banks, is something special, and I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to compete. I’m ready to give it my absolute best.”
HAVING WHAT IT TAKES
Head of Participation, Competitions and Engagement at Swimming New Zealand, Dale Johnson, added: “We are grateful to have Louis and Ruby competing at the aQuellé Midmar Mile next month.
“Both athletes performed strongly in Taupo at our 2025 Apollo Projects NZ Open Water Swimming Championships and we think they have what it takes to be very competitive in South Africa.
“The opportunity for our New Zealand swimmers to experience racing at the largest open water competition in the world is excellent for the development and continued interest in open water swimming. I know both Louis and Ruby can’t wait to race in South Africa,” added Johnson.
Riddin, meanwhile, congratulated Clark and Heath on their victories.
“We are thrilled that Louis and Ruby will be joining us at this year’s aQuellé Midmar Mile and we look forward to welcoming them to the country,” he said.
“We already have two-time Olympic champion Sharon van Rouwendaal of the Netherlands lining up in the women’s field, so adding two more international swimmers to the mix will make it even more competitive.
“Our top local swimmers will really have their work cut out for them and will have to fight hard to get their hands on the title this year, which makes for some exciting racing.”
The elite men’s and women’s races will take place on Sunday, 9 February and will conclude four days of swimming at the iconic annual event where everyday swimmers get to rub shoulders with professionals.