Theodore Yach Ultra Swim

Cold water swimming legend, Theodore Yach, set for icy 30km ultra swim challenge to help disadvantaged swimmers

Theodore Yach, one of SA’s most accomplished cold water, long-distance swimmers, is preparing for the challenge of his life – a 29.5km, day-long swim in bone-chilling water from Cape Town around Robben Island and back to raise funds for disadvantaged swimmers.

Yach, 51, will in early December attempt to become the first person to swim the hazardous route starting from, and ending at Three Anchor Bay and swimming around iconic Robben Island. He will wear only a regulation costume, cap and goggles and faces the real threat of succumbing to hypothermia. The attempt is aimed at raising funds for the Cadiz Open Water Swimming Development Trust which supports disadvantaged swimmers and promotes swimming in these communities.

Yach will brave up to 12 hours in shark infested waters which, at between 12 and 14 degrees Celsius, are infamous for sometimes thwarting even the strongest swimmers’ attempts to cross from Robben Island to the mainland.

Peter Bales, chairman of the Cape Long Distance Swimming Association has described Yach’s goal as one of the most extreme challenges of its kind and “very, very difficult by any standards”.

Bales likened the swim to the English Channel crossing, regarded as the “Everest” of open water swimming. At 34km, the English Channel is only slightly longer than Yach’s challenge. The English Channel’s waters are, however, on average three to four degrees warmer than temperatures Yach will endure.

And, although Yach’s ultra swim is measured at 29.5km as the crow flies, in reality he will swim a few kilometres further to counteract a current which will constantly push him towards the north-east.

Yach holds the record for the most Robben Island crossings (54), is a regular participant in the annual extreme 7.5km Cadiz Freedom Swim between Robben Island and Blouberg, and successfully crossed the English Channel in 1996 in 14h25.

Donations to the development trust which will benefit from this challenge can be made through the Facebook Group: Theodore Yach Ultra Swim, or by calling 083-463-1827.

See:http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=154967951992&v=info

Yach’s philosophy on handling the icy Atlantic is unique: “When I enter the water, I invite the cold in, put it into a little mental box and leave it in the back of my mind. Then, when I’m swimming, I don’t think about the cold again.”

Sports Scientist Tim Noakes said swimming in a temperature of 12 - 14 degrees for long enough was ultimately life threatening: “Sooner or later you will die if you continue swimming in water at that temperature. So, he needs proper controls and support. His body temperature must be monitored at all times. If it drops below 35 degrees, he faces the ‘disappearing swimmer syndrome’ – one minute the swimmer is there, the next he has dropped to the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean. “

Yach will be accompanied by a support boat and will feed in the water. He may not touch the boat or crew in terms of open water swimming rules. The precise date of his swim in early December will be determined by weather and ocean conditions and will be announced shortly in advance. Follow his progress on his Facebook Group at:

Click here to download high res photographs of Theodore Yach

For further information, contact Craig Doonan on 083-463-1827