I am really pleased I got to hear about this fun event! It promised a safe, fun, social crossing of the Langebaan Lagoon, and that’s what we got.
Registration and race briefing were held at the Langebaan Yacht Club. The paddlers and boats departed by water from the yacht club to meet us at Shark Bay, while the swimmers drove the short distance to the starting point at Shark Bay.
From Shark Bay the swimmers headed across a narrow channel to a large sand bank. After wading and then walking across the sand bank we met up with the boats (NSRI Station 4 included) at the main channel. Some of the swimmers opted to swim around the sandbank in the channel.
After posing for some photos, we set off across the main channel to Kraalbaai for the “meat” of the swim which worked out to be 2.48km (out of the total distance of 3.9km).
The water was crystal-clear and a comfortable temperature, and I did not feel too much of a current at any stage of the swim. I couldn’t really find a landmark to sight off apart from the Kraalbaai jetty, and spent most of the time following a SUP paddler who was out in front. Luckily the water was beautifully calm so there was no chop to make this difficult.
Once across the main channel, we swam past the houseboats and to the jetty at Kraalbaai.
Everyone enjoyed a boerewors roll and a softdrink whilst the last swimmers arrived, and the blowing of the vuvuzela by the last swimmer across signalled the end of the swim. Well done to the organisers, and a huge thank you to the NSRI and all the private ski-boats as well as the paddle craft who saw us safely across.
