SA Swimmer attempting gruelling False Bay crossing reports Good News for Seals!
South African open water swimmer Roger Finch has reported in, a third of the way into his gruelling 35 km False Bay crossing, with good news for the seals. A message from Roger was posted to Facebook saying: “Just to let the environmentalists know, there are A LOT of seals out here. They don’t just […]
South African open water swimmer Roger Finch has reported in, a third of the way into his gruelling 35 km False Bay crossing, with good news for the seals.
A message from Roger was posted to Facebook saying: “Just to let the environmentalists know, there are A LOT of seals out here. They don’t just stick to their island.”
Roger is currently attempting to become the sixth swimmer to successfully swim across False Bay, a 35km route from Rooi Els to Miller’s Point (near Simonstown).
His attempt began at 7:15 am today and passed the 10 km mark recently.
Roger is one of South Africa’s most active and accomplished open water swimmers, and he is the only local swimmer who can boast the “Triple Crown” of open water swimming – having successfully completed the English Channel (England to France 34km), Catalina Channel (California USA 34km) and the Manhattan Island rounding (USA, 46km)!
The False Bay crossing is renowned as one of the most challenging marathon swims in the world because of its unpredictable currents, variable water temperatures and the population of great white sharks.
So far about 25 swimmers have attempted the challenge…but only five have completed it. They are Dutch swimmer Annemi Landmeters in 1989 who was the first, Steven Klugman (SA) in 2004, Carina Bruwer (SA) in 2006, Barend Nortje (SA; speed record – 9h33) in 2007 and Ned Denison (Ireland) in 2012.
The swim is being done in accordance with English Channel Swimming rules (no wetsuit, no direct contact with support craft, start and finish on land), and officiated by the Cape Long Distance Swimming Association.
Good Luck Roger!
Follow Roger’s progress on FB:
https://www.facebook.com/roger.finch.31
UPDATE:
A message from the organisers: “Unfortunately the swim has been abandoned due to extreme currents pushing Roger outside the bay. Completing the swim during daylight hours was deemed impossible so the unanimous decision was taken to stop. Roger had swum more than half the distance. He will attempt the swim again as soon as conditions permit.”