ONE MAN, ONE SWIM, ONE HUNDRED TIMES – RAISES OVER ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND RAND FOR SPCA
Endurance Sport-obsessed Howard Warrington has become the 4th person in the world to swim from Blouberg to Robben Island one hundred times – and if that isn’t enough of an accomplishment, he pledged to raise R100,000 for animals. Having witnessed first-hand the extent of the pollution far from our shores, Warrington has made it his mission to act for animals whose habitats and lives are threatened by human action/inaction.
Early on the frosty morning of 21 May 2022, Warrington arrived at Oceana Power Boat Club in Granger Bay to embark on his ride to Robben Island, where he proceeded to climb into the water and start his 100th swim in aid of the Cape of Good Hope SPCA.
He was accompanied by his wife Elmarie who is his skipper and their rescued Border Collie Lily (acting as a shark/dolphin/seal-spotter), along with 8 other swimmers.
“Swimming one hundred 7,4-km crossings from Robben Island to Bloubergstrand in a period of seven years took me on a journey I could never imagine,” says Warrington. “My first swim was done with no idea what I was diving into, literally. As it all progressed, I came to realize this journey chose me more than I chose the journey. With the swims accumulating I also realized that, as in life, there is no space for complacency. Each swim presented a different sea in terms of temperature, wind, currents, and other factors. Nothing could be taken for granted.”
“Only commitment and focus got me to the shore each time.”
By the time Warrington successfully reached the shore with his phenomenal achievement, he had managed to exceed his fundraising target and raised R108 420.
Not one to overlook a challenge, Warrington declared he is determined to round off this total and pledged to raise R120 000 by swimming a double swim of 15km on Friday 27 May.
He will swim Robben Island to Blouberg and back, accompanied by another swimmer who will be embarking on her first-time Robben Island to Blouberg swim.
Says Warrington, “To keep me going an invaluable team of people assisted me through this journey; my skippers Derrick Frazer & darling wife Elmarie Warrington, my weather watcher Frank Smuts, and crucial crew and dear friend Charl du Plessis. Without them, it would not have been possible. They do know what they were to me over these years. The biggest pleasure, of course, was to have our dog Lily Warrington on the boat, watching me through many crossings.”
“I also need to applaud every swimmer, from first timers to old hands who swam the crossing with me. Your energy made the goal of one hundred swims less difficult and even more memorable.
Last but not least I thank each and every person that extended goodwill and good wishes as the swims ticked over. Seeing so many faces become friends made it special in a way for which I have no words. Thank you all.
In closing I want to ask every person that chooses a dog, a cat or any pet, please be the team to that precious animal that my team was to me. I would not have lived to see a hundred swims without my team. Your pet cannot live without you.
Thank you, Cape of Good Hope SPCA, the real heroes!”
