OPEN WATER SWIMMING IN CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
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NEWS PRESS RELEASE PETER BALES BECOMES OLDEST ROBBEN ISLAND SWIMMER AT 65 Capetonian swimmer and president of the Cape Long Distance Swimming Association (CLDSA), Peter Bales, today became the oldest person to complete a Robben Island crossing, when he swam the 7,5km from Robben Island to Bloubergstrand in just under 2h40. Peter, aged 65 years and 4 months, took the record away from Tony Scalabrino, who completed the crossing in December last year, then aged 65 and 2 months. Tony met Peter on Blouberg beach to congratulate him and insure him and welcome him to the “over sixties Robben Island swimming club”. Both Bales and Scalabrino are household names in the long distance swimming fraternity. Tony has done numerous Robben Island crossings over the years, and as a member of the CLDSA, he is and has been heavily involved in the organization of solo swims. Peter became the first South African man to cross the English Channel back in 1969, and has done numerous Robben Island crossings and other ocean swims since, but not for the last 6 years. He said that he was “very nervous” before the swim, because he hadn’t done it in such a long time, and he was scared of cramp. “The water was a very pleasant 18 degrees for most of the swim, and it was a beautiful day, so in a way I was spoilt!” Mr. Barry Cutler piloted Peter’s own boat, used regularly to support swimmers on solo Robben Island crossing attempts, as well as Cape Point roundings, and other open water swims around the Peninsula . His support crew consisted Barry and Carina Bruwer (both long distance swimmers, and members of the CLDSA) and avid swimmer Stan Davis. They all agreed that Peter swam amazingly well and looked very comfortable all the way. “Most swimmers – even the world champions – would experience a ‘bad patch’ on a solo crossing, but Peter was strong and happy all the way. He almost looked disappointed when it was all over!”, Barry said. The Cape open water swimming season usually takes off in November, and the CLDSA will once again be quite busy officiating over crossings, and accompanying local and international swimmers attempting the grueling open water swims on offer in Cape Town . Carina said: “ Cape Town offers a wealth of options for open water swimmers of all abilities, with swims ranging in distance from 7.5km to 35km. Water temperatures are cold - ranging between 13 and 19 degrees celcius - thus providing the perfect preparation for prospective English Channel swimmers. Apart from the great achievement of finishing a swim, Cape Town is one of the most scenic places in the world (voted the top travel destination in Africa and the 8th best city to visit in the world), so we hope to attract more swimmers from all over the world to combine a respected swimming achievement with an unforgettable holiday.” Notes to Editors
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| Robben Island | |
| False Bay | |
| Cape Point | |
| Cape Agulhas | |
| Nelson Mandela Bay | |
| Danger Point | |
| Dassen Island | |
| Other | |
| Swimming events | |
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