While balancing family, work and endurance training, Durban friends Kim Rom and Adele Ackerman prepare to tackle a 16-mile Midmar swim this month to raise funds for a really special cause.
Kim Rom and Adele Ackerman, both 47 and living in Glenwood, are no strangers to challenges. Moms to four boys between them – Adele’s aged 22 and 19, Kim’s 14 and 10 – they balance life with impressive precision. Yet their latest goal is proving particularly ambitious: A 16-mile swim at Midmar Dam to raise funds for Happy Bundles, a charity bringing joy to children with cancer.
Their friendship dates back to their university days and later evolved into a successful business partnership as co-owners of Accumin, a Glenwood-based accounting and property administration firm. “We have similar values and ethics, so our approach to life and business is aligned,” says Kim. “We both value our families, work hard, and always try to lead by example.” Adele adds, “We’re honest with each other, and integrity is everything. When one sets a goal, the other supports it all the way.”
Swimming has long been part of their lives. Adele fondly recalls stress-relief sessions at the varsity pool, while Kim has kept active through running, gym sessions and open-water swims. The idea of tackling Midmar’s 16-mile challenge grew from a casual conversation after completing the 8-mile swim for charity previously.
“We investigated what it would involve and committed in August 2025,” Kim explains. “It still feels intimidating – the distance over two days is huge, and we’ve never swum anything this far before.” Laughing, Adele adds, “I think there was wine involved when we said, ‘Okay, let’s do it!’”
Training is rigorous and carefully structured. Both maintain weekly schedules that mix pool sessions, open-water swims, gym and running. Adele joined an adult swimming group in June 2025, gradually building endurance, while Kim favours the open water twice a week.
“Swimming is lonely sometimes, so having Adele alongside me is amazing,” says Kim.
Together, they swim longer distances on weekends, steadily increasing their mileage. Adele highlights a proud milestone, “In November, I did 48 kilometres in training. It was exhausting, but a real WOW moment to see how far I’d come.”
Balancing motherhood, work and intense training is a daily juggle. Kim reflects, “I consider this training as time for myself – it’s good for my mental and physical well-being and makes me a better, happier mom and wife.” Adele admits, “Mom guilt is real, but planning and sticking to it helps. I’ve missed a few lazy Sundays, but every kilometre counts. ” They credit strong family support for keeping them on track, with husbands and children understanding the commitment required.
Motivation can waver they say, but the cause, Happy Bundles, keeps them going. Happy Bundles delivers personalised joy-filled bundles to children fighting cancer, and the duo hopes their swim raises awareness and funds.
“Thinking about the charity and being thankful for our own health, means we have no excuses,” says Kim. Adele echoes this sentiment: “Even knowing we can bring a little light into a child’s life makes the hard work worthwhile.”
Mental resilience plays a big role. Kim has a quirky coping habit – remembering the last song she heard before entering the pool. The tune stays in her head for half an hour. She also finds clarity while counting lengths, solving problems and planning. Adele relies on a simple mantra: “Just keep swimming … breathe… you can do it.”
The challenge has reminded them both of the mind-body connection, the limits they can push with focus and commitment, and their friendship is part of their success. Kim describes it as a ‘medley relay’, a mix of strokes that balances each other through good and bad days, while Adele sees it as ‘freestyle – we cruise along together’. In training, they motivate each other with simple rituals like sharing take-away cappuccinos after tough sessions, and they know who starts a crazy challenge (Kim) and who tags along (Adele).
Come February, the two-day Midmar event will be a culmination of months of dedication. Kim anticipates the nerves of swimming back and forth across the dam without the crowds, while Adele looks forward to the shared experience, and the camaraderie with like-minded swimmers.
Beyond the swim, they hope to take a long rest, enjoy a good meal and reflect on what they’ve achieved. Longer term they’re already eyeing new adventures – perhaps an open-water swim abroad, paired with a family holiday.
Both women hope their story resonates beyond the sport. “What we’re doing isn’t impossible when you have a plan and good support,” says Kim. Adele says, discipline, focus and commitment really do pay off. “We want our kids to see that and know that they can do anything they set their minds to.”
Through humour, hard work and heart, Kim and Adele are showing that life’s challenges – whether a 16-mile swim or juggling family, business and personal goals – are best tackled together, with a splash of joy and plenty of determination.
You can follow their journey and donate to Happy Bundles via GivenGain, or to the raffle with amazing prizes. Email Kim on kim@accumin.co.za. Every contribution brings moments of joy to children fighting cancer, making every kilometre worth it.
