False Bay
False Bay is a natural bay that stretches along the peninsula’s eastern coastline from the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve at Cape Point to Cape Hangklip.
It was named “False Bay” when early navigators mistook Cape Hangklip for Cape Point, which resulted in many shipwrecks in the bay with its strong cross winds and rocky routes. It is the largest true bay in South Africa and one of the great bays in the world. The water body covers approximately 1000km2, and the coastline, which makes up the Southern portion of the breath-taking Cape Peninsula, and includes the area from Muizenberg to Cape Point, is about 33km in extent. The CLDSA has a variety of official swim routes in this location culminating in the Everest of Cape swims, the solo False Bay crossing.
History
False Bay Swims
In the early days of long distance swimming coastal swims in False Bay were the swim of choice, primarily because the water is considerably warmer than that of the Atlantic and there is generally less swell. Swims from Simonstown to Muizenberg were organised fairly regularly, as were annual Mile swims in Simonstown and Fish Hoek bays. Over the years it became less popular due to the appearance of Great White sharks in the area and a number of fatal shark attacks. However, due to a decline of the appearances of the Great White sharks it has seen a recent surge in interest with a rapidly growing social False Bay open water swimming community.
Across False Bay
The Everest of Cape swims is the solo crossing of False Bay itself from Rooi Els to Miller’s Point or Miller’s Point to Rooi Els at distance of about 33km. The first successful solo False Bay crossing was completed by Annemie Landmeters in 1989. The difficulty of the swim can be attributed to strong and unpredictable currents and winds, icy and often inconsistent water temperatures, and the fact that False Bay has one of the highest populations of Great White sharks in the world.
There is also an official CLDSA relay route for the “Across False Bay” swim which must consist of a minimum of 2 and up to 6 members.
Route Variations
Across False Bay – E-W Solo
East to West across False Bay - Rooi Els to Miller’s Point
Across False Bay – W-E Mixed Relay (2)
West to East across False Bay - Miller’s Point to Rooi Els in a mixed relay team of 2 people
Across False Bay – W-E Mixed Relay (3)
West to East across False Bay - Miller’s Point to Rooi Els in a mixed relay team of 3 people
Across False Bay – W-E Mixed Relay (4)
West to East across False Bay - Miller’s Point to Rooi Els in a mixed relay team of 4 people
Across False Bay – W-E Relay (2)
West to East across False Bay - Miller’s Point to Rooi Els in a relay team of 2 people
Across False Bay – W-E Relay (3)
West to East across False Bay - Miller’s Point to Rooi Els in a relay team of 3 people
Across False Bay – W-E Relay (4)
West to East across False Bay - Miller’s Point to Rooi Els in a relay team of 4 people
Across False Bay – W-E Solo
West to East across False Bay - Miller’s Point to Rooi Els.
Across False Bay Double – Relay (4)
Across False Bay Double in a relay team of 4 people.
False Bay Diagonal
Cape Point to Bikini Beach, Gordon's Bay
Fishhoek – Miller’s Point
This route can be swum in either direction and goes from Fishhoek, past Glen Beach towards Simonstown.
Gordon’s Bay – Rooi Els
Bikini Beach in Gordon's Bay to Rooi Els
Miller’s Point – Fishhoek
Rooi Els – Gordon’s Bay
Simonstown – Muizenberg
A more popular route that has been swum by a number of swimmers in recent years. Starting at the dock area in Simonstown Long Beach and ending at Muizenburg Beach. It can also be swum from Simonstown to Muizenburg and back for 20km. Bronzer sharks have been spotted on this swim.
Simonstown – Muizenberg – Simonstown
The double from Simonstown to Muizenburg and back is a solid training ground for longer swims.
Location Statistics
Avg. Water Temp
15 °C
First Crossing
1989 Annemie Landmeters
Fastest Solo Crossing
2021 Ryan Stramrood 08:39:50
Fastest Female Relay Crossing
2021 Eva Dirkson Georgia Smith, Karen Graaff and Katherine Persson 8:46.12
Fastest Male Relay Crossing
2021 Anthony Pearse, Barend Nortje, Brad Gale and Mark Chamberlain 7:28.50
| Route | Distance | Category | Solo/relay | Stroke | Swimmer | Gender | Age | Country | Date | Time |
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| Route | Distance | Category | Solo/relay | Stroke | Swimmer | Gender | Age | Country | Date | Time |
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| Route | Distance | Category | Solo/relay | Stroke | Swimmer | Gender | Age | Country | Date | Time |
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