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03/04/2008 01:52 PM - (SA) Open water swimmer sets new record off West coast 04-04-2008
Lewis Pugh has held the record for this swim since 1993 and Alan is only the sixth person to have swam this course and is also the oldest at 51 years. He completed the 8,5 km route in a record two hours and 33 minutes in water temperatures ranging from nine to 12 degrees Celsius. The first recorded swim was by Barry Cutler on May 7, 1986 in a time of three hours 56 minutes, followed by Lewis Pugh on March 23, 1993 in two hours 35 minutes. On May 13, 2004 three swimmers, Sarah Mathews, Gill Stamrood and Ryan Stamrood completed the distance in three hours and 38 minutes. Alan first started open water swimming nine years ago at the age of 42. He has since then completed numerous 1,5 km swims, 16 Midmar Mile swims (the last one in 2007 as part of the 8 mile club), three Durban 7 km surf swims, a 42 km round Midmar Dam swim over four days swimming 13 km a day, four Robben Island to Bloubergstrand and a swim around Cape Point on February 3 this year. His next major challenge will be swimming around Cape Agulhas later this year, which, if he completes it successfully, make him the first South African man to complete this swim. Alan had the following to say about his record breaking swim on Sunday. "We left Yzerfontein harbour at around 08:30 aboard the boat Marco Polo in perfect weather conditions with a small swell running, some morning mist and just about no wind. "On arriving at the island we were met by Johan Visagie, the resident nature conservationist, who escorted me to the point on the island just to the right of the harbour, from where I would commence the swim. "I was met by a group of penguins all making their way down to the water. "At approximately 09:07 I slid into the freezing cold water (about 11 degrees Celsius) and set off for the mainland. "About 100 metres offshore I swam right past a whale, then about one kilometre offshore I was joined by a group of six Dusky dolphins who swam around and under me for about a kilometre. "As they were swimming under me, they were blowing bubbles - it was amazing. There were penguins swimming past and at one time a seal popped up behind me and then a huge flock of flamingoes flew overhead as well. "All I can say is that I was the most blessed and lucky person on the planet at that point in time to be able to swim with all these amazing creatures. "The swim from there on was a little more serious and I just kept focused on what was at hand. "My first stop for a drink was at the 5 km mark and due to the very cold temperature of the water, it was only very brief as my legs started cramping. "My support crew were all confident I could beat the record and enthusiastically urged me on. Approximately 500 m offshore the boat had to leave me and I swam towards the breakers alone. "Just behind the back line I was met by a group of surfers who all got off their surfboards and swam alongside me encouraging me in through the surf, what a welcome. "I arrived on the beach and was met by my mother and step dad who had blankets and a warm drink waiting for me. "As I stood up out of the surf my legs cramped badly and I just collapsed, but I'd done it and I was ecstatic and overwhelmed when my fiancee phoned me from the boat to say I?d broken the record."
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