Howard Warrington will soon become the fourth person in the world to swim from Blouberg to Robben Island one hundred times. He is doing this incredible act for animals; in collaboration with Cape of Good Hope SPCA, Howard has been leading the Swim4Survival campaign that aims to raise awareness of how much human activity threatens wildlife and natural habitats.
Howard has witnessed first-hand the severity of humans’ pollution both on and off-shore, and he has made it his mission to act for animals whose habitats and lives are threatened by human activity.
“When I get into the freezing water, I know I’ll only be in pain for the first 10 strokes. Animals are enduring so much more for so much longer and that’s what keeps me going!” explains Howard.
“He’s right,” adds Cape of Good Hope SPCA. “There’s no quick death for animals entangled in any kind of debris that humans should have responsibly disposed of. Our wildlife team have seen first-hand how all animals, not just marine life and sea birds, suffer prolonged suffering from entanglement in anything from fishing lines and hooks to plastic packaging.”
In the the Cape of Good Hope SPCA’s Swim4Survival press release, they share information on the kinds of harm or injuries they’ve witness to affected Egyptian Geese, Hadedas, Cape Fur Seals and Terrapin Turtles who have all suffered due to human waste. They also aim to educate people in how we can do our part towards keeping our oceans and natural environments healthy.
Howard’s 100th swim is a great opportunity to further educate the public, and raise necessary funds to help the Cape of Good Hope SPCA rescue and rehabilitate injured animals.
“It costs us on average of R450 to rescue and rehabilitate just one wild animal and our wildlife department operates at a cost of almost a million annually,” it states on their website.
Would you like to join and contribute towards this campaign?
You don’t have to jump in the icy waters to join the day’s activities, but you’re welcome to attend the event and show your support towards both Howard and the Cape of Good Hope SPCA.
Howard will be at Oceana Power Boat Club (Granger Bay) at 7am on the morning of 21 May 2022. He will then ride to Robben Island about 100 metre from land, where he will climb into the water and start his 100th swim in aid of the Cape of Good Hope SPCA. Howard’s wife Elmarie, who is his skipper, and their Border Collie Lily (acting as a shark/dolphin/seal-spotter) will accompany him as well as eight other swimmers.
The Cape of Good Hope SPCA invites the public to meet Howard at the finish line.
“We would like to invite people to join us at Big Bay Surf Lifesaving Club House on Saturday 21 May from 9.30am to 12.30pm where we will be waiting to welcome Howard Warrington after he completes his 100th swim.
“Also, we will be engaging with visitors/supporters who will have the opportunity to purchase some really cool SPCA branded items; alternatively swimmers may enter a swim event on the day organized by Big Bay Events – a shorter course, of course, of which they have committed to donate R50 per entry to the Cape of Good Hope SPCA.”
A challenging journey that started with Howards first 7.4km swim from Robben Island to Blouberg in April 2015 will reach its admirable and exciting end tomorrow.
Also read:
135 hikers climb Table Mountain and raise R850 000 for charity
Picture: Cape of Good Hope SCPA, Swim4Survival
