Howard Warrington swam the Robben Island crossing for the 200th time. Picture: Cape of Good Hope SPCA
Howard Warrington completed his 200th crossing from Robben Island to Blouberg Beach on Sunday the 23rd of June. The great achievement was dedicated to the Cape of Good Hope SPCA to raise R150,000 for the animal hospital.
Warrington’s latest accomplishment has surpassed his previous record of being the first person to complete the swim from Robben Island to Blouberg Beach 155 times. His 200th swim has secured his spot in the Guinness World Records. He also completed the swim in a record time of 2 hours and 34 minutes. Warrington has completed many other endurance races and challenges including crossing the English Channel, Iron Man, the Comrades, Cape Town Cycle Tour, just to name a few.
Howard Warrington: A dream turns to reality
Warrington enjoys running and cycling, but his first love has always been swimming. “Since I was a youngster, I was surfing. Where you paddle out and sit there [and] I would often just imagine slipping off the board and swimming out into the ocean. Just for the sake of it, just that enjoyment of it.” He added that, “Swimming was just a part of my life, we just enjoyed being out there”.
Warrington started swimming competitively when he began participating in Triathlons. “So, the surfing was a big thing and that kept you in the ocean for hours, and then the Triathlons, a lot of swimming in the Triathlons. Swimming in a pool and that type of thing and the shorter Triathlons you learn to swim faster and then you throw in a couple of longer swims and before you know it open water becomes easy because you've got the endurance and the fitness of the multi-sport. ”Naturally, Warrington was drawn to the thrill of an open-water swim, in the true sense of the word, from shore to shore. “The idea of swimming Robben Island, the attraction is not just Robben Island, it’s swimming from one body of land to another.”
Warrington completed his first crossing in 2015 in ‘skins’, in other words, wearing nothing but a speedo. He landed in the medic tent for 45 minutes. “I did it all wrong, [absolutely], I did everything wrong. I didn’t stop for a break, I just swam. Got to the other side and ended up with a touch of hypothermia and total fatigue.”
Warrington’s second crossing was just as challenging, but as they say, the third time’s the charm. He completed his third crossing in 2017, “I did pull that one off and I realized I’ve got it. Now I needed something else. ”Nine months later Warrington crossed the English Channel. Upon returning he imagined completing the Robben Island crossing a hundred times, and he hasn’t stopped yet. His 100th crossing was dedicated to the SPCA to raise R140,000.
Why wear ‘skins’?
According to the Cape Long Distance Swimming Association (CLDSA), “swimmers are permitted to wear a swimsuit, goggles and a single swim cap. No wet suits, neoprene caps, or double swimsuits are allowed. It is man (or woman) against the elements.” Other than that, Warrington makes use of a watch and earplugs and believe it or not he enjoys swimming in skins. “I started with ‘skins’ and I’m comfortable swimming with ‘skins’ and [I] enjoy the elements, jumping in the water, feeling it, getting through it. It’s a great feeling. And you can feel the tide, you can feel the currents and the jellyfish stings “kissing” you all over.”
Lily helping Howard warm up after an RI crossing. Picture: Howard Warrington
Endurance Sport and Charity
Howard and his wife, Elmarie are animal lovers, and their dog Lily is a big part of his swimming journey. She often accompanies them on the boat, staying right by his side as he swims from Robben Island to Blouberg. “My dog, she’s on the boat a lot, she’s the coolest, she watches me, and she puts her head on the pontoon, and she almost falls asleep at times.” He added that “Lily is part of the team”. So naturally, when the opportunity presented itself, raising funds to save animal lives was a no-brainer.
Over the years Warrington has raised funds for many charities including the Heartlands Foundation and Die Herberg Kinderhuis. The reason why he has chosen to dedicate the 200th RI crossing to the SPCA is because he understands that by helping the animals you are also helping people. “Many people rely on their animals. They rely on their pets because their pets are what keeps them together. They love their pets; their pets love them. So, at the end of the day, they need their pets as much as the pets need them.”
Lily right by Howard’s side as he swims the Robben Island crossing. Picture: Howard Warrington
After spending time at the SPCA, Warrington realized that often the owners are more devastated than their pets that need help. Warrington realized where the help was needed and that’s why he set out to “help people help animals”. Warrington said, “The SPCA is dear to my heart because it’s the animals and the people who need help. It’s not just about the money, it’s an awareness as well. Just helping where we can, I think that’s very important.”
Warrington highlighted the importance of the emotional aspect of doing sport for charity. He mentioned that that’s what keeps you going and motivates you, rather than doing it for yourself. Knowing that his efforts are going to a good cause is what drives him to accomplish the unimaginable. His pain and discomfort are temporary compared to what the good people at the SPCA go through daily.
The Cape of Good Hope SPCA in Grassy Park is extremely appreciative of the funds he has raised for the animal hospital. Warrington mentioned that he initially wanted to aim to raise R200,000 but thought that might be too much to ask so he settled for a target of R150,000, R10,000 more than he managed to raise on his 100th crossing. “The dream was R200,000 but I thought that was a tall order. To me, achieving 200 Robben Island’s, [that] is doable but to raise R200,000 is the ultimate achievement. And that achievement is massive because it’s so many people involved.”
“Howard has raised R200K for the SPCA, far exceeding his target of R150 000.00 and we couldn't be more grateful. Every day, around 150 animals arrive at the Cape of Good Hope SPCA’s Animal Hospital in Grassy Park, in desperate need of help. For all these animals, whether they are stray or loved by owners who are struggling to make ends meet, the SPCA’s Animal Hospital is their last and only hope.”
“Our commitment to these animals is resolute, but it comes at a significant cost. Last year our hospital incurred a loss of R5.1M. This level of financial strain is not sustainable and we’re incredibly grateful to Howard for pushing himself to his limits, so we never have to reach ours.” A spokesperson for the Cape of Good Hope SPCA, Belinda Abraham.
Warrington’s hobbies include mountain biking amongst other endurance sports. Picture: Howard Warrington
On the horizon for Howard is a wave of new challenges.
Warrington has committed himself to continuing to raise funds for various non-profit organizations. At the end of the year, he plans to swim from Gordon’s Bay to Rooiels, which is roughly a 20 km swim. He will dedicate that to a Children’s home.
Warrington will be taking part in Wines to Whales at the beginning of November. This 200km mountain bike event will be held over three days and Harrington will be raising funds for the SPCA once again.
He also intends to start a Triathlon event which he is calling ‘Home to Home’. It will include a 130km to 150km cycle starting either from his house or the Children’s home. He will then swim across False Bay to Simon’s Town, which is about a 40km swim. The event ends with a 35km run and will also be dedicated to raising funds and awareness for an orphanage.
Howard has already completed his 201st RI crossing on his own on the 27th of June 2024. He will continue to participate and compete in endurance sports for the love of the challenge, there is no summit, only what’s next. “That is the key, let it be an adventure, let it be a challenge and also, if you are going for 100, 200 if you are going for 500, just enjoy the journey.”
Well written Article 👏
A heart-warming and inspirational story.
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