Meet the Committee: An Interview with Melissa Rademan

I joined the CLDSA Committee in March 2026 as part of the Marketing & Merchandise portfolio. As a self-employed business owner with a strong background in marketing and customer service, I’m passionate about contributing to the growth and visibility of open water swimming in South Africa. I look forward to helping strengthen the CLDSA’s marketing presence and inspiring more people to discover the joy, freedom, and community that open water swimming offers.

1. Tell us about your swimming journey so far. My open water journey began in 2015 when I joined a squad in False Bay, where I experienced my very first swim at Grabouw Dam—something I still remember for its icy water! While living abroad, I even took on an Ironman in the Middle East, but it was after returning to South Africa in 2019 and settling in Big Bay that my love for open water swimming truly flourished. There, I found my tribe with the Topaz Open Water Swimming Club in the colder Atlantic waters. In March 2025, I completed my first Robben Island crossing—an unforgettable milestone—and I continue to take part in events to stay active and connected to this incredible community. I’m currently training for the Around Robben Island swim in April 2026, always chasing the next adventure in the water.

2. Tell us about your earliest swimming memory. My earliest swimming memory is from when I was about five years old, sneaking off to the nearby community pool whenever I could. One day I ended up competing in a local primary school gala and unexpectedly won the freestyle event—only for them to realise I wasn’t even in school yet! From that moment, swimming captured my heart and has been my number one sport ever since.

3. What is it that makes you love swimming? Swimming brings me a deep sense of peace, especially in the ocean where I feel completely connected to nature and its beauty. I love the adventure of discovering new swim spots and the quiet moments in the water, where it’s just me and my breath, often clearing my mind or working through ideas. The friendships within the swimming community and the invigorating feeling after a cold water swim make it truly special.

4. What was your most challenging swim experience? One of my most challenging swims was a 7km event in Brandvlei Dam that turned into 9km due to navigation issues, while the wind and swell picked up significantly. Another unforgettable experience was a 3.5km swim from Doodles to Ons Huisie in 2025, where the water was completely filled with jellyfish—the deeper we swam, the more there were in large groups. I experienced a severe allergic reaction afterwards and needed medical treatment, and to this day, jellyfish remain my biggest fear in open water.

5. Can you describe your perfect week of training? My perfect week of training is mostly open water—I much prefer the ocean and only swim in the pool when following a structured programme. I train with two regular swim buddies and we typically do 4–5 swims during the week, covering distances of 2–3km. Weekends are for adventure and community, often including an event swim or a longer 4–5km session along the Cape Peninsula, where we welcome other open water swimmers and triathletes to join us.

6. What is a challenging aspect of swimming that you have overcome and how did you overcome it? Open water swimming is as much a mental challenge as it is physical—you have to let go of fear while still deeply respecting the ocean. My biggest hurdle was the fear of the unknown in the waters I was swimming in. I overcame this by spending more time in the ocean and learning to understand conditions like tides, currents, swell, and wind. The more I know what to expect, the more confident, prepared, and safe I feel in the water.

7. Where is your favourite swim spot? My favourite swim spot is probably the one I visit most often—what we fondly call the “SeaChicks Triangle.” It’s a beautiful 3km route from Small Bay, around the 3 rock formations at Big Bay and back, offering a mix of adventure and familiarity. I also love swimming through the kelp forests from Boulders to A-Frame—there’s something incredibly magical about moving through that underwater world.

8. What was your favourite swim experience ever? My favourite swim experience to date has been my Robben Island crossing in March 2025. What once felt like such a daunting challenge turned into an incredible day, with flat water, crisp 14-degree conditions, and the most supportive skipper, Jebbe from Big Bay Events, who made it truly unforgettable. We were so well prepared that, by the end, it felt like we could have turned around and swum all the way back!

9. Do you have a bucket list swim? I have a few on my bucket list! Right now, we’re preparing for the Around Robben Island swim in April, and planning a False Bay Relay towards the end of 2026. A real dream, though, would be a two-week open water swim safari somewhere tropical—combining adventure, exploration, and a love for the ocean.

10. Do you have a tip for an aspiring Open Water Swimmer Just start—take that first step into the open water. Find a swim buddy or a supportive group to help you build confidence and ease any fears. Don’t overestimate yourself, especially coming from the pool—give your body time to adapt to colder conditions and build up your distance gradually. Stay aware of hypothermia and its warning signs, and most importantly, learn to respect and embrace the ocean and the incredible life within it.