100 swimmers compete in Robben Island swim

More than 100 swimmers are expected to compete for R10000 ($1400) in a swim from Robben Island to Bloubergstrand (where I live). The 7.4km swim is considered to be one of the most difficult in the world, with strong currents, unpredictable swell, icy temperatures and of course sharks. This is known as the Cape of storms after all.

The race takes place on April 27th and a large turnout is expected as this is the 6th year of the event and a number of sponsored have gotten involved. The race began as a fund-raiser for the Vista Nova school, a school for children with learning disabilities and cerebral palsy and now the race has raised interest for around the world. The swimmers are certainly not in it for the money and the promoters hope this to become the largest event of its kind in the world.

I don’t think there is enough training time left for me to enter, darn, but I would love to do it especially if there are a few hundred other shark baits swimming with me, perhaps next year.

For those that don’t know, Robben Island, was the prison island which held Nelson Mandela for so many years. Tours are now held on the island and are given by ex-inmates. I have not been on the tour yet, but everybody raves about it.