Herman van der Westhuizen, a businessman from Stellenbosch, has recently accomplished his lifelong dream by becoming the second South African and 24th person globally to conquer the arduous Oceans Seven swim challenge.
This test of endurance involves swimming across the treacherous Strait of Gibraltar, situated between Spain and Morocco. After dedicating two years to rigorous training, van der Westhuizen finally achieved his goal on 16 July 2023.
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When asked by News24 about his feelings upon reaching the end of this 13-year journey, he expressed a mix of emotions, stating, ‘I’m not sure. I never thought I could do it, but maybe it is an achievement considering only 23 people have ever managed to do it.’
Now that he has accomplished this feat, he looks forward to redirecting his focus and time towards his family. Though he remains open to new opportunities, he cautions against impulsively chasing after the ‘next big thing.’
The Ocean’s Seven Challenge entails completing the most extreme open ocean swims across seven locations worldwide and is officially recognised by the World Open Water Swimming Association. Each swim presents serious challenges, including braving cold and warm waters (ranging from 12 to 30 degrees Celsius), contending with strong currents, navigating through rough seas, swimming at night, battling disorientation and nausea and encountering adverse sea life. The extensive preparation and training for each of these seven swims alone can take up to two years.
The seven swims included in the challenge are the English Channel, North Sea Channel, Molokai Channel, Cook Strait, Catalina Channel, Tsugaru Strait and the Strait of Gibraltar. Swimmers are permitted to wear only a Speedo and goggles and are not allowed to touch the support boat at any point during the swim. To qualify for each swim, they undergo thorough vetting to demonstrate their ability to endure these demanding conditions.
Van der Westhuizen’s journey commenced in 2012 when, at the age of 36, he conquered the 33 kilometre-long English Channel. Five years later, he took on the 34.5km North Sea Channel, enduring 12–13 degree waters for an impressive 12 hours and 30 minutes, despite being hypothermic throughout the entire swim.
In 2018, he encountered a traumatic experience in the Tsugaru Channel in northern Japan, facing a near-heart attack while contending with strong currents just 800 metres from the finish line after nearly 13 hours of swimming into the night.
Continuing his pursuit, in 2019, he successfully swam across the Catalina Channel, enduring a rare reverse current and a chilling end to the 33-kilometre swim. A heartwarming moment occurred as his family joined him for the last 100 metres of the swim in 14-degree water.
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‘Here I experienced the reverse current that only arrives every few years and a very cold end to the swim. My family was on the bigger support boat, and all my kids jumped in and swam the last 100 metres with me in 14-degree water. This was very emotional, and I will never forget it,’ he told News24.
Later that year, he made a second attempt at the Tsugaru Channel, this time during the night and with different tides, bravely combating the strong current at the end. The Tsugaru Channel proved to be the most daunting of all his challenges, with stormy conditions and torrential rain making the swim particularly harrowing.
In 2020, he faced a setback when attempting the Cook Strait due to unforeseen strong currents. Reflecting on the experience, he acknowledged that, despite one’s strength, nature ultimately decides the outcome of these swims.
‘Sometimes these swims are possible, but sometimes not. It doesn’t matter how strong you are; we are in nature’s hands.’
However, undeterred by the challenges, he pressed on, and in a triumphant 15-hour swim, he conquered the renowned Molokai Channel in Hawaii, covering 45km and dealing with disorienting darkness and powerful swells.
His journey culminated in February 2023, when he successfully completed the Cook Strait, albeit by altering the plan and swimming in the opposite direction.
His most recent swim took place just two weeks ago, leaving him with feelings of humility, immense gratitude towards his family and crew, who supported him throughout and a deep appreciation for the incredible resilience and strength of the human body and mind.
‘The feeling of humility every time I swam out there in the big oceans of the world; massive gratitude towards my family and crew members that made this possible; and the amazing resilience and power of the human body and mind,’ he said.
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Picture: infinity Channel Swimming