St Teresa’s School learner braved the cold temperatures to complete the Robben Island Crossing
The first Robben Island swim was recorded in 1909.
St Teresa’s School Grade 9 learner Alexa Cave recently ticked off her goal of participating in the Robben Island Crossing.
Alexa said her coach suggested that she try the Robben Island Crossing when she stopped participating in short-course galas, and although she didn’t believe she could do the swim, she proved herself wrong.
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“You need to be a member of the Cape Long Distance Swimming Association (CLDSA) and can then register for a swim on any day when the conditions are suitable,” she said. “It was my first experience swimming in an ocean and it was a challenge but I was very proud of myself when I finished.”
According to the Robben Island website: ‘Robben Island lies in Table Bay, some 7.4km from the nearest land and within sight of Cape Town. The first island swim was recorded in 1909 when Henry Charteris Hooper swam from Robben Island to the old Cape Town harbour.’ The site states that it took Hooper under seven hours to complete the swim of about 11km. Since then, hundreds of individuals have completed the crossing from or to Robben Island and various points on the coast.
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Despite the relatively short distances (the main swims between Robben Island and the mainland are between 7.4km and 11km), the Robben Island Crossing has become a challenge even to accomplished swimmers, mostly due to the cold temperature of the water. The swim remains an ideal for many swimmers worldwide because of the physical challenge, as well as the historical significance of the island.
The Grade 9 learner said one of the challenges she faced halfway through the swim was that her hands started to seize up because of the cold. For her accomplishment, Alexa will receive a certificate at the CLDSA’s annual medal awards in September.
Reflecting on her swimming journey, she said had intensified lessons during Covid-19. “Swimming was one of the first activities you were allowed to start doing again and I took part in the virtual Midmar Mile with my swim school, Jozi Aquatics and then my first real Midmar Mile in 2022. From there on, I was hooked on open water swimming.”
The St Teresa’s learner said she would like to try the Robben Island to the three Anchor Bay swim one day.
“My swimming partner Samuel Smith inspires me. Two weeks before our Robben Island swim, he completed his second Midmar Mile, a 16-mile charity swimming challenge for the Happy Bundles charity.”
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