Nestled at the southern entrance of Nelson Mandela Bay, within the Cape Recife Nature Reserve, lies a formidable octagonal brick tower with black and white bands. This tower is home to South Africa’s third oldest lighthouse, a beacon that illuminates the treacherous Thunderbolt Reef to the south-southeast. Despite its intimidating reputation, the Cape Recife Lighthouse has captivated the imaginations of open water swimmers for years.Â
However, a closer look at the history of this iconic site reveals a startling fact: only ten men have ever completed the swim around the lighthouse. Not a single woman has dared to attempt this feat. This gender imbalance begs the question: why have women been excluded from this historic event? In this blog post, we’ll explore the fascinating story of the Cape Recife Lighthouse Ocean Swim and the women who are changing the face of open water swimming.
THE OPEN WATER SWIMMERS
Michelle Barnett, Billie McNaughton, and Kate Gerrard proved their mettle by joining me on an epic ocean swim adventure, making us the first all-female group to take on the challenge.Â
With Andre van Rooyen, Marius Stander, Ralph West, Gavin Biggs, Steve de Beer, and PJ Duffy diving in alongside us, the support was overwhelming. Even Kevin Richards and Lyal Blom agreed to paddle alongside us as safety measures.Â
Mark Dawson and Mawaxole Nkumanda from NSRI station 6 provided support from one boat, while Dirk Erasmus, Ashley Du Plessis, and Kim Charlton kept a watchful eye on us from the second boat. Together, we braved the waves and made history as a team of 10 ocean swimmers, determined to conquer the Cape Recife Lighthouse swim.
There’s nothing quite like the meditative, healing, and solitary experience of an ocean swim. As you plunge into the open water, the bubbles around you create a rhythm with your breath, and your thoughts become your constant companion.Â
You may start out swimming side by side with a buddy, but you quickly realise that you’re in your own world. To succeed in open water swimming, you must confront your fears, silence the doubts in your mind, and swim with confidence, focusing only on your own lane and your own race.
For ocean swimmers, the natural beauty of the open ocean serves as both backdrop and challenge. With its constantly changing temperature, tides, visibility, and swell, the ocean can be both invigorating and intimidating.Â
But for those who embrace the challenge, the experience of ocean swimming can be transformative. It’s no wonder that open water swimmers are a special breed, with a unique appreciation for the power and majesty of the ocean.
As we gathered in the parking lot at Cape Recife on Tuesday morning, the nerves were palpable. Everyone had a story to tell about encounters with Great White sharks while fishing, surfing, or diving in the area.Â
We listened to their stories, trying to put them at ease, but the truth was clear: the ocean is home to these apex predators, and we were about to venture into their territory. Still, we were all there for the same reason – to swim in the open water, to feel the freedom and power of the ocean.
Despite our apprehension, we knew that the greatest danger we faced that morning was crossing the road to get to the water. Once we dove in, we were part of the ocean’s ecosystem, moving with the currents and the waves.Â
We were guests in the ocean’s home, and we needed to respect its power and beauty. As we swam, our fears began to dissipate, replaced by a sense of wonder and awe at the world around us. The ocean swim was a reminder that, for all its danger and unpredictability, the ocean is also a source of incredible inspiration and renewal.
When we gathered on the beach, our excitement was palpable. We stretched, suited up, and donned our Cape Recife Lighthouse swim caps, courtesy of City Paint and Tool. We were a team of 10 open-water swimmers, united by our love of the ocean and our determination to conquer the challenge before us.
As we marched down to the water’s edge, we knew that we were about to embark on an adventure that would stay with us forever. The unknown can be intimidating, but we reminded ourselves that courage comes from facing our fears head-on. We were ready to embrace whatever the ocean had in store for us.
And what a way to end the year it was. As we swam, we felt the endless possibilities of an ocean swim. The cool embrace of the water, the rhythm of our strokes, and the vastness of the open ocean filled us with a sense of freedom and exhilaration.Â
We knew that we were part of something special, a community of ocean swimmers who were willing to take on the challenge and make their mark on the world.
As we hit the water for our ocean swim, the clear, warm ocean welcomed us with open arms. The visibility was astonishing, and we couldn’t wait to explore the magical underwater world. With PJ leading the way, we gathered behind the breakers and began our adventure. The slight swell and wind were in our favour, and the current propelled us forward. It was like flying through the water, as Noah, my 9-year-old son, would say, but better. Every breath to the left revealed a stunning postcard view of the lighthouse and the vibrant colours of the ocean.
As we swam, we were joined by fascinating marine life, including a big octopus that swam by. Steve swam alongside me, while Marius and Gavin appeared and disappeared in the swell. Michelle swam with us for a while before regrouping with Billie and Kate. Ralph and Andre led the way, with NSRI keeping a watchful eye on us from the safety boats.
We swam in sporadic intervals, pausing to take in the beauty around us and to share our excitement. PJ was a phenomenal leader, swimming with each of us and ensuring that we all felt comfortable and appreciated the magic of the ocean. He was committed to our safety plan and did an excellent job. I feel grateful to have shared this adventure with such experienced swimmers. PJ will be sorely missed in the swimming community as he departs for Australia.
We swam around the point, expertly guided by Kevin, and could feel the power of the ocean propelling us forward. When we reached the rocky shoreline, we were greeted by the warm smiles and cheers of family, friends, and fellow ocean swimmers, all celebrating our achievement with tea, snacks, and congratulations. Living in such a remarkable place, we are fortunate to have access to the most amazing stretch of coastline.
For ocean swimmers like us, the ocean is not just a place of adventure, but also a place of healing. The salty water cleanses our soul and washes away the stresses of life. The rhythmic breathing centres us, while the wild ocean calms us. And the swim around the lighthouse is a true test of our limits, reminding us that we are alive and capable of achieving great things.
The open water swimming community will undoubtedly embrace this route, with options ranging from 5-14km along this diverse coastline. But Billie, Michelle, Kate, and I, along with our fellow bad-ass-bandits, will always cherish the fact that we were the first to complete this epic swim. It was a reminder of the power of the ocean and the resilience of the human spirit.
Imagine sleeping in the lighthouse and then swimming around it the following day.Â
An edit of an article written by: Marguerite SmitÂ
