Fastest relay swim crossing of False Bay (mixed)

The fastest relay swim crossing of False Bay in South Africa by a mixed team was performed by Ram Barkai, Jean Craven, Clinton Le Sueur, Kieron Palframan, Sam Whelpton and Patrick Wilke (all South Africa) in 10 hours 2 minutes on 26 April 2019. The five-man, one-woman team swam east to west from Pringle Bay to Buffels Bay, piloted by Derrick Frazer and Tony Lindeque. The water temperature varied between 11 and 14°C (52–57°F)

This was, in fact, the first relay swim crossing of False Bay ever attempted, although solo swims had been done previously. The challenge also sought to raise funds for the local child protection charity Atlantic Hope.

The first person to successfully swim across False Bay was Annemie Landmeters (Belgium), who completed a one-way crossing in 9 hours 56 minutes on 30 January 1989, swimming east to west from Rooi Els to Miller’s Point. Three local swimmers (Derek Yach, Godfrey Mocke and Kevin Fialkov) attempted the traverse in 1986 but didn’t complete it. The first man to complete the journey was Steven Klugman (South Africa), also from Rooi Els to Miller’s Point, with a time of 14 hours 18 minutes on 15 February 2004.

Currently the fastest relay swim crossing of False Bay by a mixed team of four is 12 hours 10 minutes 27 seconds, set by Alexandra Torborg, Elizabeth Kennedy, Anthony Pearse and Bevan Newton Johnson (all South Africa), who swam west to east on 25 April 2023, as ratified by the Cape Long Distance Swimming Association.

False Bay is the largest bay at the southern tip of Africa, situated between False Cape Point (aka Hangklip) and Cape Point. The distance is approximately 34 km (21.1 mi) as the crow flies, but as with any long-distance ocean swim, the final route is greatly affected by currents, wind, swell and waves on the day. Water temperature in the bay varies from as warm as 20°C (68°F) in the summer to as low as 10°C (50°F) in the winter. The bay is home to a variety of wildlife, including seals, dolphins, whales and even great white sharks, although the latter tend to be found nearer the shore, meaning swimmers and their support teams need to be extra-vigilant at the start and end of the crossing.