We have all been impacted by cancer in some way.

A few years ago I discovered that I have a small tumor in my pituitary - it was wreaking havoc with my hormones leading to debilitating cluster headaches and severely impacting what I could and couldn't do on any given day.

SO I DECIDED TO DO THIS SWIM FOR CANCER

Swimming 7.5km in the Atlantic Ocean from Robben Island to Big Bay, Cape Town. 

JUST HOW COLD and JUST HOW FAR?

The water temperature is hopefully going to be at the high end of the range of 11 - 15°C / 51 - 59°C.

The distance is 7.4km / 4.6 miles (if I swim in a straight line which I'm almost guaranteed NOT to do).

WHAT ABOUT ... UMM ... SHARKS?

Glad you asked.

Yes, in fact there are only two things that could impede this little event: a shark sighting or hypothermia. Hopefully not both (if that happens I'll post and update and suggest you buy a lottery ticket - for me).

I have a terrific skipper of the boat that will be accompanying me who will keep watch. But let's hope for blue skies, a flat ocean, and lovely warm (59°C) ocean temperature.

PREPARATION

I have read a lot, watched blogs, and connected with some people who have done this before.  And I've been doing a bit of swimming in Lake Wylie, NC and the Outer Banks of NC.

What's crazy is that there have been over 11,300 summits of Mount Everest and only 2,580 solo crossings from Robben Island to Cape Town.

So this is my Everest. In a speedo!

UPDATES

I'm going to be posting updates on my prep (ice baths, long swims) and my travel to Cape Town over the course of the next few weeks. 

PLEASE SHARE.  LET'S RAISE MASSIVE $$$

Please come along for the journey. Share this with friends, family, colleagues, anyone who you think will be interested.

And frankly even if they won't be interested. Share it with them too.