Howard Warrington's brave icy swim in False Bay raises R65 000 for animal welfare
World record swimmer Howard Warrington braves icy False Bay waters during his charity swim from Miller’s Point, raising nearly R65 000 for the Cape of Good Hope SPCA’s animal sterilisation drive despite being forced to end the attempt early.
Image: Supplied
World record endurance swimmer Howard Warrington braved freezing waters, jellyfish stings and worsening conditions in False Bay on Tuesday in a gruelling charity swim aimed at boosting animal welfare in Cape Town.
Warrington, who holds the Guinness World Record for the most Robben Island crossings, took on the False Bay Crossing from Miller’s Point to Rooi Els, a 33km route widely regarded as South Africa’s toughest open-water swim.
The crossing, comparable in distance to the English Channel but considered more technically demanding due to unpredictable currents and weather, was undertaken to raise funds for the Cape of Good Hope SPCA and its expanded animal sterilisation drive.
Entering the water early on Tuesday morning, Warrington faced temperatures of just over 18°C, which steadily dropped to around 14.6°C as the day progressed. Jellyfish stings set in within the first few kilometres, while prolonged exposure led to increasing cold and severe cramping. Swimming only in a speedo, Warrington endured seven punishing hours before making the decision to end the attempt for safety reasons.
By the time he exited the water, Warrington had covered 22km.
“Warm water brings jellyfish; cold water brings different challenges. I will take whatever comes my way,” he said ahead of the swim.
Despite not reaching Rooi Els, the effort raised almost R65 000 for the SPCA. The funds will support a mass sterilisation outreach in an underserved community, contributing to the organisation’s goal of achieving 10 000 sterilisations this year. Each procedure costs about R600, with last year seeing 6 307 animals sterilised across Cape Town.
Belinda Abraham, spokesperson for the SPCA, said the impact of the swim extended far beyond distance. “We are deeply grateful to Howard and his crew. 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.”
The SPCA also thanked Warrington’s wife, Elmarie, and Jonathan, Craig and Nathan Dawson of Davidson’s Boards, who skippered the support vessel Pegasus throughout the crossing.
Warrington has vowed to return to False Bay and attempt the crossing again.
“Animals win when people act,” the SPCA said. “And they won today because Howard stepped into the water.”
Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel.
Cape Argus