The all eleven swim

Breaststroker Kim Prytz just swam the 18km Big Bay-RI-Melkbos in 11 hours. On the 11th day of the 11th month, international armistice day – the first person to do so.

Earlier this year, she completed a double Robben Island, also doing breaststroke, another first!

She describes her last swim in her own words:

“Into great Silence.
High tide so pounding waves to start.
A lively swim from start to finish.
Baby seals popping up behind my goggles.
Uplifting conversations at feed times on the gracefulness of creatures particularly seals and dolphins (we saw 2 pods)  and the beauty of spending your days close to, in or on the ocean.
Masses of harmless tubular jellyfish to swim through.
Also got to spend time in the water which was one of my intentions remembering my dearest Mom, who had just gone through a major surgery.
As always the peace and abundance  of the ocean beckoned.
And since this swim was consciously to drink from the wells or Ocean of Silence – it was appropriate that it fell on Armistice day/Peace day WW1.
It fell on the 11/11/22 and it was done in 11 hours!
My boat crew were magical and thoughtful and needed grit when an unexpected motor failure challenged – first towed, then new boat brought.
These sea journeys, as life, are never straight forward!
Thank you Jason (skipper) and Kyle (observer) and Michelle who saw me so ably and kindly from one side to the other. These are all people, including Megan, Derrick and Debbie (so grateful to Bog Bay Events!) who know how to make a plan over and over again.
Then the final push to the kelp was the hardest part, for sure.
As I reached the kelp, I noticed a lone swimmer with a hat on and thought, this person is very far out!
The pleasure of seeing my sister Jo’s face was incredible.
And she is going to start ocean-swimming very soon, and was the inspiration for this swim.
The kelp and my sister gently led me to land.
What an incredible journey again.
Thank you thank you!! Xx”