CAPE TOWN – Two Pretoria Boys High School alumni are currently rewriting the limits of human endurance in the cold, unforgiving waters of Cape Town.

Chris Oldnall and Peet Crowther are more than 22 hours into a grueling 66km double crossing of False Bay – the third and final leg of their monumental Trilogy Ocean Challenge.

The duo officially launched into the surf on Thursday morning, 14 May, taking advantage of an early favourable weather window. However, as any local knows, False Bay is notoriously unpredictable.

Oldnall and Crowther have spent the last day and a entire night battling plummeting temperatures, shifting winds, heavy swells, and strong tides in pitch darkness.

According to the latest update from the support boats at 08:20 this morning, both swimmers are still “soldiering on” through choppy and freezing conditions. The extraordinary feat is expected to take anywhere between 25 and 30 hours to complete.

More than a swim: The Legacy Project

While the physical toll of a 66km open-water swim is staggering, the motivation driving Oldnall and Crowther goes far beyond personal accolades. The Trilogy Ocean Challenge was conceived as a powerful symbol of resilience, unity, and hope for the next generation of South Africans.

Funds raised from this extreme undertaking are being funneled directly into the South African Hall of Fame’s Legacy Project. This initiative is dedicated to empowering talented young South Africans who deserve access to opportunity but lack the resources.

The project provides holistic, life-changing support, including:

– Bursaries and educational support to unlock academic potential.

– Mentorship and life-skills programmes to guide future leaders.

– Development programmes, gear, and sports equipment.

– Nutritional support through daily meals.

“What they are doing is nothing short of extraordinary,” said a representative monitoring the swim. “This is about creating opportunities for young boys through education, mentorship, and development. Every stroke they take in that water is a step toward a better future for a child.”

The final test

Having already successfully conquered the first two legs of the Trilogy Ocean Challenge, this double crossing of False Bay represents the ultimate test of their training and mental fortitude.

The three legs of the challenge

• Leg 1: False Bay Crossing (completed Nov 2024): A 33km swim.
• Leg 2: Dassen Island to Robben Island (completed April 2025): A 53km, ~14-hour swim.
• Leg 3: Double False Bay Crossing (May 2026): A final 66km swim lasting 25 to 30 hours.

Because the team is far out at sea, communication from the support vessels is heavily restricted by limited signal. Organisers have urged the public to keep the swimmers in their thoughts and continue checking for updates as they enter the final, most critical hours of their journey.

Every donation to the cause turns this historic physical sacrifice into a lasting social impact. As South Africa watches and waits, Oldnall and Crowther continue to prove that with enough purpose, even the wildest oceans can be overcome.

Follow the journey and support the cause here.