News24 | Not done yet: World record swimmer vows to return and conquer False Bay after raising R70k

World record swimmer Howard Warrington attempted a 34km open-water swim, battling cold temperatures and strong currents.

• World record swimmer Howard Warrington, 61, was forced to abandon his first attempt at the gruelling 34km False Bay Crossing.
• His swim, which aimed to raise R100 000 for the SPCA, was cut short after he experienced severe cramping.
• Warrington still raised R70 000, though, and says he is determined to return and finish the swim.

None of the cramps and jellyfish stings hurt world record swimmer Howard Warrington as much as having to abandon his maiden attempt at the False Bay Crossing, in a bid to raise funds for the Cape of Good Hope SPCA.

But he is determined to go back and complete the crossing, and continue raising funds for the animal welfare organisation.

Warrington, 61, took to the icy waters just after dawn on Tuesday, looking to complete the 34km crossing between Simon’s Town and Rooi Els. The False Bay Crossing, the same distance as the English Channel Crossing, but with more unpredictable conditions, is considered one of South Africa’s longest and most dangerous open-water swims.

At Miller’s Point, where he started, Warrington plunged into 18.33°C water. Jellyfish stings awaited him a few kilometres into the swim. The temperature dropped steadily through the day, reaching a low of around 14.6°C, and Warrington, who swims only in a Speedo, became extremely cold.

Warrington completed more than 22km of the swim before he was forced to halt his effort. The swimmer braved the cold and endured stings from jellyfish and blue bottles – but he realised he had to halt the swim when he started experiencing cramps in his legs and back.

Warrington added:

“So, if your cramps start to reach the point of debilitation, then that’s the end of the swim,” he said.

“In an open-water swim, anything and everything can happen. You prepare for that. If it doesn’t happen, that’s a bonus. But when it happens, you know it’s part of reality and part of the bumpy road that you’re on.”

Warrington has completed more than 200 Robben Island Crossings and has earned a Guinness World Record for his efforts. He has also completed the English Channel Crossing.

“False Bay is known for rough conditions. It’s [a] very deep ocean. You do have the Indian Ocean and Atlantic Ocean meeting, and there is definitely a chop on the water. But all of that is expected, and that’s what you train for. The unexpected is when something happens, and that affects your health and your body,” he said.

Warrington’s effort still managed to raise around R70 000. He had hoped to raise R100 000, which would have covered the cost of 200 sterilisations.

Last year, the SPCA sterilised 6 307 animals across Cape Town. This year, the SPCA has set a goal of 10 000 sterilisations, said spokesperson Belinda Abrahams.

READ | Jellyfish, cold and cramps force swimmer to abandon False Bay charity crossing

Each sterilisation costs roughly R600, and every rand raised by Warrington translates directly into practical, cumulative relief for animals, she said.

“We are deeply grateful to Howard and his crew,” said Abrahams.

“He may not have reached Rooi Els, but he did reach an entire community in need. He may feel defeated, but animals still won today.”

Warrington has been an ambassador for the animal welfare organisation for many years.

“I’m an absolute animal lover, and I detest animal cruelty. The SPCA is a team that really battles on every day, who really fight to save animals. I realised after yesterday’s swim, when I was feeling like I failed, that when the SPCA team goes out to assist an animal, they don’t always succeed. Yet, they always go back. I will continue, I will go back, and I will complete the crossing.”

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