Meet the Committee: An Interview with Jonathan Dawson

Jonathan Dawson is the swim coordinator on the CLDSA Committee, he was born and raised in Cape Town. From a young age he was passionate about the ocean and has completed several open water swims. He enjoys all water sports, including windsurfing, surfing and diving, and he is also a qualified skipper.

1. Tell us about your swimming journey so far: After waking up in ICU and getting pacemaker I started swimming in December 2021. The solitude, focus on health and meeting like-minded people has been fantastic.

2. Tell us about your earliest swimming memory: My earliest swimming memory was being thrown in the deep end of the swimming pool. This was considered swimming lessons when I was younger.

3. What is it that makes you love swimming? I love the time that I have to myself when I swim in the ocean. Seeing the wildlife is really special.

4. What was your most challenging swim experience? Robben Island number 3 was by far the most difficult. Conditions were really tough with a winter storm.

5. Can you describe your perfect week of training? Daily ocean swims at Small bay Blouberg.

6. What is a challenging aspect of swimming that you have overcome and how did you overcome it? I find swimming challenging in that there is always someone pushing boundaries and trying new swims which drives you to do similar things.

7. Where is your favourite swim spot? Small Bay Blouberg.

8. What was your favourite swim experience ever? Having a school of dolphins swim past me on completion of Dassen Island to Yzerfontein swim.

9. Do you have a bucket list swim? False Bay Solo.

10. Do you have a tip for an aspiring Open Water Swimmer? Keep Swimming!