The Dolphin Mile
About
The Dolphin Mile Surf Swim Series is a unique event on the South African open water swim scene. It was started in 2007 by Heather Campbell, a highly decorated South African Masters champion.
Heather devoted her life to swim teaching and coaching in Kwazulu-Natal through the activities of her Flying Fish Swim School. Her enjoyment of ocean swimming and her deep family roots in surf lifesaving made her aware of an opportunity in 2007.
She founded the Dolphin Mile Surf Swim Series and the swim has grown from strength to strength since. It is now the largest ocean swim series in South Africa, thanks to Heather’s enthusiasm, hard work and dedication.
The guiding principle of the Dolphin Mile Surf Swim Series is the promotion of open water ocean swimming for participants of all ages and ability.
The series caters for all categories of swimmer, from novice to elite swimmers of all ages, from 10 years to 70 plus years of age, and can form a component of a healthy lifestyle and exercise regimen.
The swimmers’ participation allows them to enjoy the challenges presented by ocean swimming and experience a sense of achievement and personal accomplishment.
Since inception, the series has had a home base at Marine Surf Lifesaving Club, Addington Beach, on the famous Durban Golden Mile, considered one of the safest and most user-friendly beaches for ocean swimming in South Africa.
The Series consists of nine ocean swims, from April to September of the year, with several distances available for participants. All Series races have an 800m and 1 600m (1 Mile) swim with some races also catering for the 3 200m and 5 400m distances.
The completion of a single open water mile swim is a significant achievement in any person’s book of life experiences. An open water sea mile certainly takes that achievement up a notch or two!
From 2020 the Dolphin Mile Surf Swim Series, and all other events that have become synonymous with the Dolphin Mile brand, will be led, managed and organised by Trevor Martin with effect from the commencement of the 2020 series program. Trevor’s extensive experience in surf lifesaving and events provides a new impetus to promote the Dolphin Mile brand and to sustain the enjoyment of those participating in these renowned ocean swims.