Robben Island Record Setting Swim halted as current pushes Kim Prytz back on herself

Kim’s Great Swim got off to a windy start this morning at the Cape adventure swimmer, Kim Prytz entered the water at Melkbostrand at 05H00 with strong on shore winds and high rollers that pushed her away from her destination – Robben Island.

Getting clear of the beach and with slightly calmer conditions, Prytz settled in and began her epic record setting attempt – to be the first person to swim Melkbostrand – Robben Island – Melkbostrand and to be the first person to swim it with breaststroke.

Having done a previous Melkbostrand to Robben Island swim in 6 hours, and an 11-hour-long Blouberg-Robben Island-Melkbostrand swim, and a double Robben Island-Blouberg in 10.5 hours, Kim was well-prepared to get stuck into the 20.5Kms, 12-hours it had expected her to take.

At 5 Hours and 20 minutes this morning, a message came through from the support boat to say she was looking strong and comfortable with only 4.6km to go to the island, but an hour and a half later, she still had 4.4km to go with the current pushing her back at every stroke.

“This was a lesson in learning to go with the flow and not fight the current that is life,” remarked Prytz, after it was jointly decided by the support team and Kim to call it a day and she was pulled from the water.  It’s not over yet though, as Kim is planning to attempt the swim in a week’s time, as she is determined to do it and raise the monies for the Goedgedacht Trust’s Path onto Prosperity project.

“This is the first time I have voluntarily climbed out of the water, but I spent 1.5 hours in the same spot, and it was just time – I would make the same decision again though. As disappointing as it was not to complete this trip, it is in these moments one grows even more, especially when you face a decision by which one can literally live or die.

“I’m not beaten, but more determined than ever to complete this, but the next time I hope it’s more of a swim instead of a push against the force of nature and going nowhere slowly.”

Of the support from her crew, family, friends and the public since the news of her swim became news, Kim says:

“I am so grateful to be able to do what I do but even more so, knowing that I have the encouragement of others behind me, and I would like to thank everyone.”

Further details on the next attempt will be issued early next week.

For more information about Goedgedacht Trust please refer to their website.