Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I become a member of the CLDSA?
A: Yes, please visit our membership invitation page
Q: How do I prepare for a Robben Island swim
A: The biggest challenge presented by Robben Island, Cape Point and often False Bay swims is not necessarily the distance, but the cold water temperature. There are ways to prepare your body and mind for a cold swim; these include training in cold water for weeks or even months before an attempt, or traveling to Cape Town at least a week before your attempt to acclimatize in the Atlantic ocean. Picking up some weight could be beneficial as extra body fat will serve as a natural insulation and may prevent hypothermia. Capetonian Channel swimmer Dr Otto Thanning has done extensive research on cold water swimming and the phenomena of hypothermia, and gives some advice in his article "Training for long distance swims in cold water".
Q: Can I wear a wetsuit
A: No, a swim is only official when done according to the English Channel Swimming rules (Artificial Aids) - i.e. a swimmer is permitted to wear only one costume, one cap, and one pair of swimming goggles.
Q: Am I allowed to use greace
A: Yes
Q: When is the best time of year to attempt a swim / swims in Cape Town, and how will the weather affect my swim?
A: Open water swimming season in Cape Town generally stretch from October to April/May, although crossings in winter have been completed successfully. Water temperatures on the Atlantic side supposedly increase around February / March / April, due to the gradual decrease of the prevailing summer-wind, the South-Easter, during these months. It does however often happen that temperatures are still very low during these months, and higher in January; it is unfortunately impossible to predict. The hot air temperature during summer months does make a big difference.
The conclusion is that, due to Cape Town's often unpredictable weather - especially with regards to wind, it is advisable to allow yourself a reasonable window period in order to at least get a chance to make an attempt. A period of 7-10 days should be sufficient for Robben Island, Cape Point and Cape Agulhas attempts, while crossing False Bay is more complicated. Please contact us to discuss this.
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