Reino von Wielligh, a remarkable South African athlete, has inspired many hearts with his extraordinary journey in ice swimming. After enduring a heartbreaking tragedy, Reino discovered solace and purpose in the icy waters. He now looks forward to representing Mzansi at the 6th World Ice Swimming Championships in Italy.
Pretoria, South Africa (28 November 2024) – South Africa’s very own “Ice Man”, Reino von Wielligh, possesses an inspiring story of rebirth and finding a passion for ice swimming after overcoming an incredibly life-altering event a few years ago.
Since then, Reino has devoted more time to his swimming and his aim of putting South Africa on the map in a discipline called Ice Swimming.
What is ice swimming, you may wonder? It entails swimming 1000m in water under 5 degrees Celsius in only a speedo/jammer, a cap and goggles.
“Your body aches from the cold, at risk of hypothermia and body shock. Ice swimming is where survival and sport collide. In water so cold, time slows down and life is reduced to a single purpose – to keep moving forward. With each stroke, the cold reminds me that I’m still here,” Reino shares.
But what drives a man to swim in icy waters? For Reino, who has been swimming competitively since the age of 10, it was a tragic accident in 2022 that saw his life turn upside down and claimed the life of his girlfriend.
Having found solace in chilly waters, that same year, Reino joined the International Ice Swimming Association and soon qualified to represent South Africa at the 5th World Ice Swimming Championships in France.
At the 2023 World Championships, Reino made history by breaking African and South African records in the 1000m, 500m, and 100m freestyle events. His exceptional performance even earned him a world record in the 30-35 age group.
Now, Reino is gearing up for the 6th IISA World Championships to be held in Molveno, Italy, in January 2025.
As with most sports events, it is self-funded, and he is looking for possible sponsorships to help him get to the World Champs. His goal for the event is to secure a medal in the prestigious 1000m event, where he previously finished 5th Overall.
He needs just under R60,000 in total to make this dream a reality. To support Reino’s journey and help him achieve his goals, consider donating to his BackaBuddy campaign. Your contribution will enable him to represent South Africa with pride and inspire others to overcome adversity.
Sources: Supplied
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