False Bay
As at October 2024, 26 solo swimmers and 13 relay teams have successfully swum the challenging 33km across False Bay, located at the southern tip of Africa.
Big Bay Events have been involved in the planning, scheduling, and piloting of 33/39 crossings, with a 100% success rate, making us the undisputed leader in supporting False Bay swims.
The first 5 solo and first relay crossings were started on the eastern shores of the bay using the prevailing SE winds to generate “assist” current. After intensive study of the currents, swell direction and wind direction, Derrick recommended swimming in the opposite direction. This was received with mixed reactions from the scheduled swimmers. Katherine Persson, Eva Dirkson, Georgia Smith, and Karen Graaf trusted our judgement and swam a stunning time of 8:46:12 on the 12 March 2021. Confidence in swim direction was created and the following 2 crossings also broke records setting a new standard in route direction.
Big Bay Events is the obvious choice for international, national, or local swimmers wishing to cross False Bay. We offer a full turnkey package individually designed to suit your requirements and include inter alia:
- Travel and accommodation booking
- Supported training swims.
- Highly experienced support crew on the boat
- Transfers to launch site.
Swim Safety
False Bay has a reputation for being home to various shark species making attention to safety an important aspect of our swim planning.
Swimmers have an option to be supported by 2 boats effectively sandwiching the swimmer and creating the impression a large single object in the water.
Electronic shark shields, emitting a powerful electrical field which deters sharks, are available as an additional safety measure.
Crew are experienced surf lifeguards with intimate knowledge of ocean conditions, cold water induced hyperthermia and certified first aid practitioners.
Roll of Honour:
- Fastest male – Barend Nortjie – 7:28:15
- Fastest lady – Katherine Persson – 8:09:26
- Fastest ladies relay – Paula Armstrong’s team – 7:38:09
- Fastest men’s relay – Barend’s team – 7:28:50
- Fastest mixed relay – Anneke Boshoff & Kyle Zietsman – 7:36:22
- 100% success on all False Bay attempts
- Piloted 84,6% of all successful False Bay crossings.
Robben Island
Derrick provides boat support for over 200 Robben Island Channel crossings per annum, with an even split between “speedo” and wetsuit swims.
False Bay
Derrick has been involved in the planning, scheduling, and piloting of 5 of these crossings, and coupled with 100% success in all False Bay attempts, makes him the undisputed leader in supporting this swim.
Cape Sanctioned Routes
The value of travelling to Cape Town, South Africa, to swim our 2 well known and iconic swims, False Bay and Robben Island, is the large number of vastly different swims presented by the Western Cape.
