FALSE BAY 2: WAITING FOR NATURE
Latest update: 8 March

THE WIESENHOF CARINA BRUWER FALSE BAY CROSSING

Windy weather keeps flautist on standby

Carina Bruwer, SA’s top female long distance swimmer, is unlikely to attempt the 35km False Bay crossing - the country’s ultimate marathon swim and one of the most daunting in the world – before next week, due to unseasonal windy conditions. Bruwer has been on standby to swim from Rooi Els to Simonstown from the beginning of the week, but weather predictions rule out a swim on Wednesday or Thursday. “I am hoping that Friday (11 March) will be a good day, but I think that realistically we are looking towards next week. I will however swim on the first suitable day.”

Carina is frustrated, but positive that she will be able to attempt the gruelling crossing. “This is what is so unique about long distance open water swimming: Unlike preparing for a Comrades Marathon , or Argus Cycle Tour; you can’t really work towards one given day for a marathon swimming attempt. It is simply too dangerous - and in fact impossible - to swim on a day when the conditions aren’t at least reasonable. As if the distance and the other factors (such as cold water, intimidating sea life, etc) is not enough!

Carina’s support team, headed by Mr. Peter Bales, is watching conditions closely. “This is unfortunately such a big, long swim (Carina will be swimming for anything between 9 and 15 hours, depending on currents, wind and temperature), that it would be unwise to go against weather predictions and call the swim on a day that ‘might be OK’. You don’t want to have to give up 4 hours into the swim because of a wind coming up mid-morning.”

Original press release (5 March), containing more information about the swim’s history, Carina’s sponsor, etc., is available on www.carinabruwer.com/falsebay1.htm

Regular press updates will follow. For more information, or to arrange a journalist and/or photographer on the boat, please contact Francois Brink on 083 375 1454. Carina Bruwer is available for comment and/or interviews on 082 486 1320.

For comments on the weather, and conditions required for an attempt, contact Peter Bales on (021) 671 9359

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Notes to Editors