NATIONAL NEWS - A girl's passion for open water swimming, which started off as a 7.4 kilometre fundraising swim for the Seabird and Penguin Rehabilitation Centre (SAPREC) in Mossel Bay, developed into a 33km False Bay crossing.
And Kay-Lee Mouton (15) has set a world record with this swim, which she completed on Friday, 24 January, in an amazing nine hours, 28 minutes.
She is the youngest person to have completed the crossing, which is from Miller's Point to Rooi Els in the Western Cape.
She started the swim at 03.45 that day.
Kay-Lee raised an impressive R21 000 for SAPREC, with her swim from Robben Island to Blouberg on 7 December 2023, when she was 14 years old.
She has strong ties to Mossel Bay, her grandmother having lived here before she passed away recently.
Kay-Lee often visited Mossel Bay on holidays.
Her mother, Chantell, lived in Mossel Bay for a number of years and volunteered for SAPREC.
Kay-Lee was so impressed with SAPREC's work, that she swam to raise funds for it.
She is a Grade 10 learner at Dirkie Uys High School, Moorreesburg. It was gruelling, training for the False Bay crossing.
She had to complete 55km in one week in a pool to be fit enough for the swim.
She was provided a training plan by Big Bay Events which organises the open water swims.
Kay-Lee did the False Bay crossing alone. It was a solo swim.
She had a support boat and was allowed to have some energy drink every half hour. She was not allowed to touch the support boat or one of its crew at any time.
She was allowed to paddle water and float on her back if she wished.
Kay-Lee has written a touching account about her tough challenge, which she posted on social media.
"My first six-hour qualifying swim ended in failure due to mild hypothermia, despite wearing a wetsuit.
"This setback instilled a fear of swimming in cold water. But I refused to give up.
"At a Big Bay Events training camp, I faced my fears and switched to skins."
Skins are less than a millimetre thick, lightweight, and extremely flexible.
Overcame fear
Kay-Lee says: "Although I didn't complete the six-hour swim, I overcame my fear of cold water.
"On 30 December, I completed my six-hour qualifying swim in challenging conditions.
"I knew I was ready for False Bay. But False Bay had other plans.
"On 8 January I was pulled out of the water after four hours due to severe bluebottle stings.
"On 24 January, I finally achieved my dream.
"Swimming False Bay was an unforgettable experience - from the darkness of the early morning to the magical encounters with dolphins and seals. Every stroke felt like a testament to my faith."
Mossel Bay Advertiser asked her if she meant faith in her ability, but she replied, "faith in God".
She expressed her deep gratitude to all who supported her.
"This journey started with a coffee shop meeting and ended with me becoming the youngest swimmer to touch the rock at Rooi Els."
This photograph was taken during a 24km training swim.
Kay-Lee at Rooi Els, at the end of the swim.
Another picture of Kay-Lee during her momentous False Bay swim.
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