Yach ready for century of swims to island
VETERAN marathon swimmer Theodore Yach has been diligently preparing and training for his 100th swim to Robben Island on Tuesday morning.
The 58-year-old caught up with the Cape Argus yesterday afternoon before his training session. He said that after 37 years of marathon swims, he still took his training and cold conditioning seriously.
“I practice every opportunity I can, as often as I can. Emotionally, my 100th Robben Island crossing could be very daunting, so I’m going to be focusing only on the swim,” he said.
“As I swim next week Tuesday, I’ll definitely be thinking about my family, the boatmen, the officiators, my fellow swimmers and those who inspired me.”
Yach said open water swimmers regarded the Robben Island swim as a short but tough exercise with treacherous swells. The two official crossings to Blaauwberg and Three Anchor Bay are roughly 7km and 12km respectively, with swimmers being exposed to the elements.
The Cape Long Distance Swimming Association, which officiates each crossing, follows the English Channel rules, only allowing a swimming costume, a swimming cap and goggles.
“The waters are icy and if you aren’t prepared for that, it could be a challenge. You are completely exposed. You feel each cold current,” he said.
Success hasn’t come easy to the property developer, with his first attempt at crossing in 1981 ending in failure. However, a week later he tried again and succeeded – joining the likes of Richard Branson and Bill Gates.
After crossing the English Channel and the Sea of Galilee, Yach hopes the conditions next week will be “ideal”.
“The south-easter brings in icy cold currents,” he said.