Yach completes a milestone century Robben Island swim

ILAN HERRMAN

Yach back in 1981 started his first swim between Robben Island and Cape Town and now, some 34 years later, has completed his century!

The swims to or from Robben Island can follow different routes. There is the seldom used Llandudno and Camps Bay routes, but almost all have been either to or from Blouberg, or Three Anchor Bay. Blouberg is the shorter 7,4 km route from and the longer 10,2 km route is the Three Anchor Bay one.

His latest crossing took Yach 3 hours and 10 minutes, in 13-14ºC waters, departing from Robben Island to Three Anchor Bay.

Yach describes the frenzied build-up to the swim: “It was a very emotional time for several weeks before. Firstly, I was determined to swim when our younger son, Daniel, was in Cape Town, on leave from Johannesburg. Secondly, the media frenzy was very difficult to deal with as they were constantly asking: ‘When? When?’ This made me an emotional wreck.”

In this particular swim Yach was joined by six other swimmers: Toni Enderli; Kieron Palframan; Ryan Stramrood; Mark de Klerk; Buff van Westenbrugge; and Dean Noik.

Conditions are always challenging. The currents are usually quite strong, the water is always freezing and one always has to be vigilant of Great White Sharks

When asked about previous failed Robben Island attempts, Yach said: “I have had four Robben Island failures, one due to a nosy great white shark in 1994 and three due to conditions turning against me, especially water temperatures dropping below 10 degrees.”

This particular race had its own unique challenges – as each race does – and Yach explains: “We faced tough conditions for the first hour and a half as we battled a large swell from Robben Island. And the water temperature was 12ºC for the first two hours as well and as we swim without wetsuits, we were pretty cold.

“Also, I chose the longer 10,4km route to Three Anchor Bay as it is much more difficult and longer than swimming to Blouberg Strand. Swimmers cross the north-west current, so we had to compensate by swimming towards Llandudno for at least 90 minutes and then the boat crew could turn us into Three Anchor Bay.”

As Yach emerged on shore, he was greeted by hundreds of supporters who had come to celebrate along with him.

Yach was recognised and supported by the City of Cape Town and was also given recognition by the World Open Water Swimming Association.

Yach commented just after the swim: “I am so relieved to have finally accomplished this milestone and to have the amazing support of everyone on the beach. I feel truly blessed from the love and support of my family, friends and the Cape Town community.”

Yach worked with six charities to raise funds in the name of his 100th Robben Island Crossing. The charities were The Children’s Hospital Trust; Paper Video; NSRI Water Wise Project; Wynberg Boys’ Schools Aquatic Centre; Highlands House; and the Herzlia Foundation Trust. 

In reflection Yach said: “It’s been a 35 year goal since my first Robben Island crossing in 1981. I calculated that it has taken me more than 35 million kilometres of swim training to achieve my 100 crossings and helped by the rise of social media, we have (over the years) raised more than R6 million for various charities such as Highlands House, Herzlia and Sea Point Shul.

“My wife Michelle and sons David and Daniel, have been with me throughout this journey and that is what it is all about.”