NEW RECORD IN ISLAND SWIM FOR CHARITY  

By Nathalie Rosa Bucher

Eight long-distance swimmers swam 10.5km around Robben Island in support of a good cause yesterday.

The group swam to raise cash for South African Riding for the Disabled (SARDA) and Ryan Stramrood managed to smash the men's record, held by Lewis Pugh, by 30 minutes.

The other swimmers were Tony Sellmeyer, Melanie Gow, Kevin Anderson, Motti Lewis, Herda Silverman, Andrew Chin and Kieron Palframan.

Most of the group, swimming only in costumes, caps and goggles, managed to complete the swim in calm, cold seas. The water temperature dropped to just 11°C on the western side of the island.

And on the Three Anchor Bay side, the swimmers had to fight against strong currents.

"The first half hour was the hardest," said Gow. "My fingers cramped up."

It was the thought of people less fortunate than her that kept her going. "What is a bit of cold compared to their hardship?" she said.