Phillip Chappell a Robben Island swim finisher puts it this way: ‘The start is quite intense. The solo swimmers set out first and the relay teams leave approximately 15 minutes later. The support boats are all over the place and it is difficult to find your second. Some swimmers even had helium balloons attached to their costumes to enable their helpers to find them.
The water conditions were very rough with a headwind and swells of up to three-and-a-half metres making the swim choppy and very hard work. This made it challenging to keep up with the support team. The temperature was cold but not unbearable for those who had acclimatised in the weeks before the event.
As we got closer to shore at Big Bay Beach the boats had to veer away as two ragged reefs could have caused significant damage. We had to swim between the reefs and were met by Surf Lifesaving patrols who escorted us for the last 600 metres. The waves onto the beach were heavy and difficult to catch. There was a low tide at around 12h30 and a current swept many swimmers downwards and some finished a kilometre away from the finish area.
Authorised vehicles picked the swimmers up and brought them back to the finish. Safety was always a key factor throughout the event and all finishers were escorted to the medical room where there were doctors, specialists, beds, heaters, food and hot showers. Participants were only allowed to leave after a thorough medical examination.’
PRIZES AND GIVE-AWAYS
A commemorative medal is awarded to all finishers.
WATER QUALITY
The channel between Robben Island and Big Bay is well known for its bitterly cold water and low temperatures. Here the sea varies between 9°C and 14°C and plays a decisive role in your crossing. This is not the only consideration; you will have to deal with strong and sometimes unpredictable currents. Add a headwind and swells up to three-and-a-half metres into the mix and it becomes obvious why the race has an international reputation.
LAYOUT
Starting at Robben Island and finishing at Bloubergstrand.