The CLDSA is an association established for the benefit of its members connected by our love of open water swimming and in particular sea swimming.
Our purpose is (1) to facilitate, celebrate and act as the custodian of your ultimate swimming achievement and (2) develop an inclusive open-water swimming community.
Authenticate and record-keep long-distance swims in the Western Cape
Recognise and celebrate the achievements of our members
Highlight Cape Town as an open-water swimming destination
Act as an information resource for long-distance, open-water swimming in the Western Cape
Network with local and international open-water swimming organisations
Promote and encourage long-distance, open-water swimming in general
We aim to achieve this by following a strategy that is multidimensional and focused on changing demographic profiles in open water swimming, ensuring equitable access and resource availability, skill and capability development and extensive community involvement.
It is exactly the opposite. The crossing is internationally rated as a difficult open-water sea swim. It may be short, but with icy seas averaging 12-degrees Celsius, treacherous currents and mercurial conditions, it earns its reputation for being one of the finest training grounds in the world for English Channel swim hopefuls.
People have been eyeing that brooding island since way back, but actually swimming that gap had always been deemed foolhardy, if not impossible. Until 1909, when the skinny-built, but gritty Henry Charteris Hooper became the first person to successfully swim from Robben Island to Roggebaai, accompanied by a whaleboat with two experienced harpoonists on board. Capetonians could not believe his feat. When the first woman, 15-year-old Peggy Duncan swam the crossing 17 years later in 1926, 30 000 Capetonians lined the Old Pier and Roggebaai Beach to welcome her in. She completed the distance in 9 hours and 30 minutes!
The association was formed to officiate and record Robben Island swims. Peter Bales has officiated hundreds of swims since then, as have Tony Scalabrino and Barry Cutler and Alon Kowen, who have navigated the shortest and safest passage to land for hundreds of Table Bay swimmers.
In addition to the iconic Robben Island crossing swim, the list of official CLDSA swims has rapidly expanded to include the Cape Point swim, False Bay crossing, the Atlantic seaboard and even up the West Coast. The expansion of new swim routes is parallel to the rapid growth and development of the sport of open water swimming in Cape Town, South Africa and internationally.
The Cape Long Distance Swimming Association recognizes the following individuals for their contribution in establishing and growing the long distance swimming community.
Their legacy helps long distance swimmers from around the world to realize swimming achievements.
Chairperson
Tracey Steyn is a passionate open water swimmer and community advocate. Her journey began in 2022 with a 1km swim and a dream of reaching Robben Island. A year later, she completed the iconic crossing — and fell in love with the sport. Now, as part of the CLDSA, she helps support, record and celebrate the stories of swimmers from all walks of life.
For Tracey, open water swimming is about more than distance — it’s about community, nature, and discovering what you’re truly capable of.
VICE CHAIR
Anya discovered open water swimming in 2016 as a way to face her fear of the ocean—and because it was one of the few sports she could do due to spinal issues. What started as a personal challenge quickly became a deep passion. She’s drawn to the unique connection with nature that open water swimming offers, as well as the strong sense of community it builds. Anya is especially passionate about helping grow the sport and making it more accessible to others, believing strongly in the mental and physical benefits that come from time spent in the sea
SWIM COORDINATOR
Born and raised in Cape Town, Jonathan has been a passionate ocean enthusiast since childhood. From an early age, he has spent countless hours on and in the water, enjoying sailing, windsurfing, surfing, diving, and boating. In December 2019, he discovered his love for open water swimming and has since completed several swims. A qualified skipper, he also enjoys supporting and escorting fellow swimmers on their open water adventures.
Ratification officer
Born, raised and still living in Paarl. Peter swam competitively until the age of 14. At 30 the midlife crises hit early and he started swimming again, competing in the odd 1km open water dam swims. Around 2016 he tried out the Clifton Mile swim and was immediately hooked to cold water swimming and now regularly makes the trip from Paarl to swim in the sea. Some of Peter’s big swims includes five Robben Island crossings, a 22km Dassen Island double and a 16km Cape Point to Millers.
Treasurer
Tim’s passion for open water swimming followed shortly from swimming countless hours in the gym pool with no goal. He comes from an actuarial background whose decisions in life are driven by the time he spends with the open water swimming community. Tim began his open water journey by completing the Robben Island crossing and Langebaan Express in 2024. He treasures each moment spent in nature with his swimming family. For Tim, open water swimming is where the body and mind are aligned with his passion.
Information
Maura is an architectural technologist recently retired from UCT. Born Irish, grew up in naval Simon’s Town, schooled in St James. Long-time married to Charles, two married children and two beautiful grandchildren. Spent her childhood climbing mountains and swimming many kilometres in False Bay. Her love and dependence on swimming increased after losing her leg at aged 16. Over the years she have met and been unconditionally accepted by the Cape swimming community, always there to support her as she grows old and slow! With so many special memories and experiences like the “Swim a leg for Maura” in 2014 to get a much-needed new prosthesis. To date Maura has swum a few Robben Islands, both single and relay, Round Cape Point, Langebaan Express and so many other new swims around the Cape. Maura serves on the committee because she would like to now give back to the swimming community.
marketing & merchandise
Melissa has been passionate about swimming since primary school, where she competed at provincial level and earned her provincial colours. She discovered open water swimming in 2015 after joining a squad in False Bay, and quickly fell in love with the freedom and adventure of the sport. After moving to Big Bay in 2019, Melissa became an active member of the open water community and joined the Topaz OW swimming group in 2024, which further deepened her passion for the ocean. She has since completed a Robben Island crossing and regularly participates in open water swimming events across the Western Cape. Melissa often swims with a group of like-minded women known as the SeaChicks, always seeking out new adventure swims in oceans, rivers, and dams. A true thalassophile at heart, she trains almost daily in the waters of Big Bay.
Social media
Tanya has been swimming since she was a tiny human, starting her open water swimming journey in the dams of Johannesburg long before Cape Town’s icy oceans called her name. After moving to the Mother City, a new swimming partner reignited her passion for the sea, and the flame for ocean swimming was officially lit.
Every open water swim leaves Tanya feeling humbled – equal parts terrified and exhilarated – but it’s the community that truly keeps her hooked. There’s something special about a group of people willingly doing spectacularly crazy things together.
Tanya joined the CLDSA committee because helping out is second nature, but more importantly, to be part of something far bigger than herself.
CLDSA Medical Officer
Dr Sean Gottschalk is a Specialist Emergency Physician based in Cape Town, South Africa.
Sean has extensive experience working with cold water and ‘ice’ swimmers both locally and abroad. This includes numerous Robben Island open water crossings, and ‘ice swim’ events in South Africa, Lesotho, Antarctica and Russia. He has also participated in high altitude swim world record expeditions in both the Himalayas and the Andes.
Communications
Renée has a lifelong passion for the ocean and has dedicated much of her life to the marine environment. A self-taught swimmer, she initially never considered long-distance swimming but soon discovered a love for the freedom it offers. She began swimming actively in early 2024 and, by November, had completed her first sanctioned long-distance swim (RI). Deeply committed to ocean conservation, Renée believes that introducing people to the marine environment—through swimming, diving, snorkelling, or other water sports—inspires them to protect it. She brings strong expertise in communications and media liaison and will represent CLDSA in these fields.
Additional Member
Se7en has advocated for ocean conservation and education her entire life. As an oceanographer, scientist, and homeschool mom, open water swimming was a natural progression from a lifestyle of beach days and coastal cleanups with the kids. She is committed to introducing newcomers to the open water swimming community and actively connects swimmers to the CLDSA Summit Swimmer Programme. Past swims include: Robben Island, Around Cape Point, several 10km ocean swims around Cape Town, and a False Bay Relay.
Additional Member
Anyone who has swum with Cape Town heart surgeon Dr Otto Thaning knows what a strong and graceful stroke he has – like poetry in water. He trained medically under Dr Christian Barnard, who performed the world’s first successful human-to-human heart transplant in 1967. In his spare time, Otto has a lifelong interest in aviation and has notched up an impressive open water resume including being the oldest solo English Channel swimmer at 73, his second Channel swim, as well as being the first person to swim across Lake Malawi, with conservation and swim legend Lewis Pugh, and numerous Robben Island crossings! Otto said at the time of his Channel crossing that he wanted to show that people over 70 were perfectly capable of achieving near superhuman feats, so long as they took care of themselves.
