15 Swimmers to Attempt Extreme Charity Swim Around Cape Point tomorrow

Swim For Hope – Press Release

Fifteen swimmers from all walks of life will attempt one of the most extreme open water swimming challenges in South African waters tomorrow, 6 March 2014, in support of the Little Fighters Cancer Trust, a local charity that offers support to children with cancer and their families.  The group, headed up by South African musician Carina Bruwer (from Sterling EQ), will attempt the 8km rounding of Cape Point, stretching from Diaz Beach on the western side of Cape Point with its notoriously turbulent waters, to Buffels Bay on the Eastern side, taking swimmers through the point where the two oceans (Atlantic and Indian) meet.

As opposed to the Robben Island and even the English Channel swimming crossings which have been conquered by thousands of swimmers to date, only some two dozen swimmers have successfully completed the 8km rounding of Cape Point (also known as “Cape of Storms”) since the first rounding by world-renowned American swimmer Lynne Cox in 1979. Factors contributing to this relatively low number include the great white shark population and other dangerous sea life in the area, cold and rough seas around the point, dangerous waves off Diaz beach, and the general inaccessibility of the terrain.  The Swim For Hope group have been standing by since 1 March, but extreme conditions have prevented an attempt until now.

DETAILS FOR TOMORROW

Swimmers, organisers and crew are meeting at 07:00 at the Cape Boat and Skiboat Club at Millers Point.  After ashort  briefing, swimmers will travel to Diaz Beach by boat and/or car for the start of the swim, which is expected to be around 08:30.  The first swimmers can be expected to finish at Buffel’s Bay (slipway) after 2 hours, while the slower swimmers may take up to 4 hours to complete the gruelling swim.

A media boat, sponsored by Shark Explorers, will take members of the media on the route.  Limited space is still available on a first come first serve basis, please contact us ASAP should you be interested to attend the event.  Dramatic Photo and footage opportunities will also exist at the start at Diaz Beach, from the cliffs when the swimmers round the point, and at the finish at Buffels Bay.

Swim For Hope: http://www.swimforhope.co.za  Little Fighters Cancer Trust:  http://www.littlefighters.org.za
Sterling EQ & Carina Bruwer:  http://www.sterlingeq.co.za  /  http://www.carina.co.za