Swimming from Blouberg to Robben Island is already a huge accomplishment, but for Howard Warrington once was simply not enough after the endurance sport-obsessed animal lover braved the water temperatures 100 times in aid of the Cape of Good Hope SPCA.
It took Warrington, one of only four people to have ever swum the 7,4 km crossing 100 times, seven years to accomplish. In the process he pledged to raise R100 000 for the animal welfare organisation.
“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,” said Warrington.
On the frosty morning of Saturday 21 May, Warrington hopped onto a boat in Granger Bay to embark on his ride to Robben Island where he started his 100th swim.
“My first swim was done with no idea what I was diving into, literally. As it all progressed, I came to realise this journey chose me more than I chose the journey. With the swims accumulating I also realised 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.”
Having witnessed first-hand the extent of pollution far from Cape Town shores, Warrington made it his mission to act for animals whose habitats and lives are threatened by human action or inaction.
“To keep me going an invaluable team of people assisted me through this journey; my skippers Derrick Frazer and 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.”
Warrington has successfully raised over R120 000 thus far.
“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!”
Jaco Pieterse, spokesperson for Cape of Good Hope SPCA, said the phenomenal achievement will help offset at least 12% of costs incurred by the wildlife department which operates at an estimated cost of a million rand annually. “The Cape of Good Hope SPCA thanks Howard Warrington for his outstanding efforts and to everyone who supported our Swim4Survival campaign which will help us in our mission to prevent cruelty and promote the welfare of animals.”
