CAPE TOWN – World-record swimmer Howard Warrington is looking forward to conquering False Bay’s freezing shark-infested waters to help the Cape of Good Hope Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) with their sterilisation campaigns.
The athlete will tackle the 14-hour False Bay challenge, which is a 34 km crossing, on Thursday 20 and Wednesday 26 November, depending on weather conditions. The swim will help the SPCA in Grassy Park reach a 10 000-sterilisation goal.
The Cape of Good Hope SPCA is the founding society of the SPCA movement in South Africa,
the oldest animal-welfare organisation in the country.
Warrington, from Somerset West, holds a Guinness world record and has completed more than 200 Robben Island crossings.
“My wife Elmarie and friend Charl are my skippers, and our border collie, Lily, joins us on our boat as a shark spotter. Every swim tests my limits, but it’s nothing compared to the struggles faced by animals every day. This is my way of helping them. I hope to raise as much money as possible.”
Besides swimming his hobbies include: marathons, mountain biking, road riding and marathon swimming.
Asked what inspired his 14-hour swim for the SPCA, Warrington said: “I believe that animal sterilisation is the only way to stop or slow the cycle of unwanted animals. I hate any form of animal abuse.”
The False Bay crossing matches the English Channel’s distance – which Warrington conquered in 2018 after 16 hours and 55 km – but is considered even more dangerous due to unpredictable currents, cold temperatures and Great White sharks.
“Warmer water brings jellyfish; favourable winds bring cold water. But I’ll take whatever comes my way,” he explained.
Warrington trains twice daily, fuelling his endurance with carbohydrates and proteins while wearing branded SPCA kit for all his sporting events.
“I spend many hours in the pool and the oceans. Mental preparation is also key to the success of marathon swimming. Swimming the route only in my Speedo is challenging because of the cold water and jellyfish. This swim is known for its epic scale, deep, cold open water and intense ocean conditions, making it one of the most daunting and respected marathon swims in Africa.”
Warrington first approached the SPCA in 2022, when he wanted to become the fourth person in the world to swim the Blouberg/Robben Island Crossing 100 times, SPCA spokesperson Belinda Abrahams said.
“We are in the midst of a pet overpopulation crisis. In 2024 the SPCA admitted 23 621 stray and unwanted animals; this is a heart-breaking and unsustainable number. Sterilisation comes at a cost, as a non-governmental organisation we are completely reliant on donations to help us beat pet overpopulation.”
Abrahams said she hopes Warrington can safely accomplish his swim.
“We’re so appreciative of Howard’s commitment. We hope that he safely reaches the other side, victorious in his personal accomplishment and his goal to raise suffi cient funds to sterilise at least 50 animals.”
For more information contact Howard Warrington at howard@warringtonbrokers.com.
