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1 month ago
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Veteran swimmer John Flanigan, 80, died following a sea kayak incident at Bloubergstrand, Cape Town.
- Veteran ocean swimmer John Flanigan, 80, died after his sea kayak capsized off Bloubergstrand, Cape Town.
- He was assisted by swimmers and a paddleboarder before rescue crews initiated CPR, but was declared dead at the scene.
- Flanigan had completed the Robben Island swim in January, raising over R21 000 for Down Syndrome research.
Just a few weeks after etching his name into South African sporting history as one of the oldest swimmers to conquer the Robben Island crossing, 80-year-old John Flanigan has died in a tragic sea-kayaking accident at Bloubergstrand in Cape Town.
The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the local ocean sports community, where Flanigan was admired for his endurance, adventurous spirit and lifelong love of the sea.
According to the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), Flanigan died after his sea kayak capsized south of On-the-Rocks, Bloubergstrand, on Saturday morning.
When rescue swimmers arrived, they found a group of swimmers with the kayak, who indicated that Flanigan had been pulled from the water and was being supported by a woman on a stand-up paddleboard, along with other good Samaritans.
It is understood that Flanigan had paddled out during his regular morning outing to greet a group of swimmers taking part in their usual ocean swim when he got into difficulty.
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He was assisted by a stand-up paddleboarder and several swimmers who pulled him from the water before rescue services arrived.
“He was unresponsive,” NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon said.
An NSRI rescue craft reached the group and took Flanigan on board, where CPR was initiated as the vessel headed back to shore.
The craft came ashore at Small Bay, Bloubergstrand, where medics continued resuscitation efforts, supported by paramedics who had also responded to the scene.
Despite extensive attempts to revive him, Flanigan was declared dead at the scene.
“Condolences are conveyed to the family and friends of the deceased man,” Lambinon added.
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Police have opened an inquest docket for investigation.
Flanigan had recently successfully completed the iconic Robben Island swim in January, finishing the gruelling 7.4km crossing in four hours and 30 minutes. The feat also raised more than R21 000 for Down Syndrome research, showing that the challenge was about more than breaking records.
Together with his wife, Ann, Flanigan founded Topaz Swim Buddies, a close-knit ocean-swimming community known for its strong sense of friendship and support.
Messages of condolences from friends and members of the ocean swimming community have been pouring in on social media, offering support to the family.
