Farrarmere resident Kyle Stephens (16) just got back from completing the Cadiz Freedom swim, also known as the Robben Island swim.
He hopes to have assistance in sponsoring his next swim, where he will take on Ryan Stramrood’s False Bay record.
The Robben Island Swim is a 7.5km open water swimming race from Robben Island to Big Bay, Bloubergstrand in Cape Town.
“This had been a dream of mine for many years, and strangely enough thanks to Covid, the staff of many companies were allowed to work from home, which enabled me to meet up with fellow Benonians with similar intentions. Although pools were closed, we were still able to use Homestead Dam as our training facility,” he explained.
“My first crossing, which was initially supposed to be a skin swim but wasn’t due to water temperatures being too low, I did as a wetsuit swim with my Benoni training partners Shane and Tony, which was an awesome experience.
“We had trained as a team and all three of us completed our first Robben Island swim together.
“Fortunately just as we about to fly back home, the opportunity came about of having a skin swim. The water temperature had risen and my mentor, Ryan Stramrood, had agreed to be my swim partner.
“I was part of the first Robben Island Escapees run by Big Bay Events and had the honour of meeting and befriending Lindsay de Kock, another extreme swimmer with over 50 crossings.”
Stephens has taken part in other open water events.
“In March I partook in the Midmar 8 Mile Charity swim and helped raise funds for the Chad le Clos Foundation, which had a very different look to it compared to previous years,” he said.
The weekend after Midmar he competed at the SA Open Water Nationals in Jeffreys Bay in the 3km event and in April he completed a skin swim of 10.2km from Milnerton Lighthouse to Big Bay in two hours and 28 minutes.
“On this occasion, there were jellyfish the size of dinner plates. I had a seal swim with me for a good couple of kilometers, dolphins that cruised alongside me and as I approached the bay, three orcas decided to give a show,” he said.
“Each experience has been very different to the others, but it always brings me back to that very first moment when you finally get to Big Bay, the finishing line, with a warm inviting hug from my mother in tears super proud of me and a good old cup of hot chocolate waiting for you.”
Any funds over and above what Stephens needs to follow his dreams will be donated to a charity, which is still being determined.
“My intentions are to take on Ryan Stramrood’s False Bay record which was set in March, which is to complete a 34km swim in under eight hours and 30 minutes,” he said.
“If I break the record I will be the youngest swimmer to do this. The best weather windows for this swim are February/March, so I am raising funds until then.
“After discussions with Derrick Fraser from Big Bay Events and Ryan Stramrood, most of my training will be done up here in the pool; however, it will be necessary to do sea training as well.
“We have done a rough estimate in the cost involved following recommendations for preparation and training to enable me to safely succeed in my goal. “These include two-weekend training camps in Langebaan. One in November to see what progress needs to be made and if I am on track with my training programme and the second in January to judge whether or not the False Bay challenge is realistic or not.
“The actual swim will require two support boats with a crew for as many hours as necessary. So as you can see, there is a large amount of funding involved.
“We have a raffle running for the chance of winning a week away at Umzumbe Chalets on the South Coast just outside Hibberdene as well if anyone would be interested in taking part in making my dreams come true,” he said.
“We have various other fund-raisers in mind mostly related to the warmer swimming months of the year.”
If you would like to donate to Stephens’ cause in helping him achieve a lifelong dream, email him on kylestep8@gmail.com
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