About 20 ocean lovers braved cold water and strong currents on Sunday 25 April, united by a shared goal of protecting the ocean.

Every stroke they took helped raise awareness and support for endangered sea turtles and the important work of the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation Turtle Conservation Centre (TCC) in Cape Town.

The group swam 11km from Robben Island to Granger Bay, crossing the busy shipping lanes of Table Bay Harbour in a tough but meaningful challenge.

Turtle conservation

They aimed to raise R625 000 for the TCC, helping to support the rescue and rehabilitation of injured and stranded sea turtles.

Currently, the team has raised just over R605 000, with donations still coming in.

The initiative was the brainchild of Vicky Hyland, a teacher at St Cyprian Preparatory School.

She says the school donates the proceeds from its annual swimathon to support hatchling turtles at the TCC.

Hyland said earlier this year she suggested that adults take on an open water swim and each participant would be responsible for raising R20 000.

“I know the aquarium is always looking at ways to raise more funds. And I suggested to them that adults swim… they thought that was a great idea and we got rolling with it.”

She said they initially hoped to raise about R300 000 but said as the weeks progressed and more people showed interest in their goal; they exceeded their target.

Hyland said the swim was challenging but worth it.

“The day started off beautiful, but about 5km into the swim the weather changed. And we were suddenly swimming right into the current… We stopped every 30 minutes to feed and we realised each time we stopped; we drifted back towards Robben Island.”

She explained that as they reached Granger Bay the weather started to clear.

“We finished in good weather conditions. The visibility on the day was good. We had a group from the Two Oceans Aquarium who did a 200m dash swim. Some did a relay; some did a solo swim. But we were all swimming together for the same common good.”

She recalls moments of beauty that stood out for the swimmers.

“We had a small seal swimming below us for a long time and that is such a lovely distraction when you have been swimming for so long. As I reached Granger Bay, a dolphin was swimming close to me. As much as it was tough, there were some beautiful moments.”

Reflecting on the impact of small actions and the role of young learners in conservation, she said nobody is ever too small to make a difference.

She expressed her gratitude to the boat crew and all who supported them on the day.

Conservation impact

Talitha Noble-Trull, conservation manager at the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation, said the initiative stretches far beyond just raising funds, adding that it is about raising awareness and inspiring action for ocean conservation.

“We are now able to rehabilitate more turtles, give them improved care and get them to the stage where they can be released back into the ocean.”

She explained that the swim route from Robben Island to Granger Bay was chosen to symbolise the future site of a new sea turtle hospital.

Noble-Trull said the current facility operates from the roof of the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation aquarium, but a standalone hospital will be built in Granger Bay in the coming years where visitors will be able to see the work firsthand.

She expressed her gratitude to the team for their efforts.

Anyone who wish to donate can visit https://bit.ly/3OwktyT.

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