Meet the Committee, an interview with Tracey Steyn.

I’m an optimist who doesn’t always think things all the way through and tends to imagine the best possible outcome. I’m also a mom and a wife. I live in Hout Bay and spend my days juggling what feels like a thousand projects at once. I’m the Chair of the CLDSA and of BlueFin Swim Club. And I love swimming.

Ten Questions We Asked the Chair of the CLDSA.

1. Tell us about your swimming journey so far.

The seed for Robben Island was planted in 2019 when my son’s water polo team planned a crossing. I joined as part of their support crew. The swim was cancelled due to weather and they never went back, but something from that day stayed with me. During my 50th year around the sun, I found myself in the ocean more than ever. CoVid limited many parts of life, but it opened up the ocean: tidal pool dips, early-morning bobs, and time with friends and family in the water. In 2022 I decided to swim Robben Island. I trained for almost a year and completed my first crossing in 2023. I loved the process of getting to the swim just as much as the swim itself.

2. Tell us about your earliest swimming memory

My earliest swimming memory is playing Marco Polo for hours during school holidays. We were lucky to have a pool at home and swam from morning to sunset.

3. What is it that makes you love swimming?

I love swimming for the flow, the cold water, the smell of the ocean, and the reminder of how small we are. I love the community—the chats, the giggles, the hot chocolates, the
encouragement. I love that as a middle-aged woman I can do difficult things. And I love that open water swimming gives people exactly what they need, in completely different ways.

4. What was your most challenging swim experience?

My most difficult swim was a training swim in Langebaan in 2024. Nothing clicked. No awe, no rhythm—just a grind. But there is value in that too: showing up when it’s not working and moving through it.

5. Can you describe your perfect week of training?

My perfect training week includes:

• a fun open-water swim
• a challenging squad session
• a slower, longer pool session to work on technique and endurance
• a tough open-water swim
• a gym or strength session

All supported by mocha coffees, good buddies, and a very understanding family.

6. What is a challenging aspect of swimming that you have overcome and how did you overcome it?

The challenging part of swimming is balancing big dreams with real life. Some days I don’t feel like training. Some days fitting everything in takes effort. I counter this by meeting swim buddies who keep me accountable, committing weekly to what needs to happen, scheduling sessions in my diary, grinding through the days that require it, and leaning on my family’s support.

7. Where is your favourite swim spot?

Favourite swim spot: anywhere—except Constantia Gym (indoors, squashed, and the vibe isn’t for me).

8. What was your favourite swim experience ever?

Favourite swim experience: there are too many to choose from. They all involve the ocean and challenging myself—some were 1 km, others quite a bit more.

9. What was your favourite swim experience ever?

Bucket-list swim: CLDSA has over 65 recognised routes. I’ve only done 6 or 7, so there are
many still waiting.

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

My advice: Just start. What’s the best that could happen?