- At 59, swimmer Karen Kennedy completed a quadruple swim from Blouberg to Robben Island in 10 hours – the first woman to do so in “skins”.
- It is a goal she set for herself before she turns 60 next month – after reigniting a love for swimming late in her forties.
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While she wait for the Guinness World Records to ratify her achievement, all she wanted was to sit by the TV with toast, avocado, eggs and a hot cup of rooibos tea.
Shortly after completing a gruelling 10-hour, 30km quadruple swim between Blouberg and Robben Island, endurance swimmer Karen Kennedy was not thinking about records or recognition.
All she wanted was to sit in front of the TV with toast, avocado, eggs, and a hot cup of rooibos tea.
If Guinness World Records ratifies her feat, Kennedy will become the first and fastest woman to complete the challenge in skins – without a wetsuit.
But for the nearly 59-year-old, it is the journey, not just the record, that matters.
And at the heart of that journey is an unlikely but deeply South African staple.
Kennedy credits rooibos tea with helping power her through some of the toughest swims of her life.
“Rooibos is incredibly important for me,” she said. “When you’re swimming in cold water, especially for hours, your body temperature drops. Having warm rooibos with honey during feeds helps warm you from the inside out, and it also helps with recovery.”
Kennedy added that the drink was gentle on the stomach during endurance events while also providing hydration and a natural energy boost.
“It heals, helps you recover very quickly, and the honey gives you that extra bit of energy,” she said with a laugh.
“It’s something I use all the time – before, during, and after my swims. It’s also what I teach my swim students.”
A comeback decades in the making
Kennedy’s journey back to the water – and ultimately to one of the toughest ocean challenges in the world – is proof that it is never too late to start again.
“I started swimming when I was five, and I competed through my teens until my early twenties,” she said.
But then she stepped away from the sport for more than 20 years.
“I only returned to the water in my forties, and I only started cold-water ocean swimming in 2021 when I moved to Cape Town,” Kennedy said.
Midway through the challenge, Karen Kennedy pushes on through cold, shifting currents with her swimming partner, Graham du Toit by her side.
Karen Kennedy cuts through the cold Atlantic as she attempts to be the first and fastest woman to do four Robben Island crossings without a wetsuit.
Karen Kennedy steps into the icy Atlantic Ocean at first light, beginning her quadruple Robben Island crossing at 06:00 as darkness still hangs over Blouberg.
Originally from Gauteng, she had little experience with the ocean.
“When I moved to Cape Town, I realised I had to learn how to swim in the ocean if I wanted to truly enjoy it.”
Despite her late return, Kennedy has rapidly built an impressive open-water résumé, completing multiple long-distance swims, including a triple – and now a historic quadruple crossing between Robben Island and the mainland.
“I’ve done a single crossing, then a triple, and now the quadruple – four crossings back-to-back,” she said.
“I’ve also done swims like Llandudno to Clifton, Langebaan, and regular ocean training here in Cape Town. This is where I live now – the ocean is part of my life.”
Finding peace in the deep
For Kennedy, the water is more than just a physical challenge – it’s a mental sanctuary.
“I absolutely love it. Swimming is very peaceful for me. It’s like a form of meditation,” she said.
“When I’m out there, I don’t think about what’s beneath me. I focus on my stroke, my form, my breathing. That’s what keeps me going.”
With a background in scuba diving, fear has never been part of her mindset – but respect always is.
“When I first moved here, I didn’t just jump into the ocean. I learned from locals – surfers and swimmers – about currents, waves, and safe routes,” she said.
“You have to respect the ocean. And you have to learn it.”
Passing it on
Beyond her own achievements, Kennedy is deeply committed to sharing her knowledge.
Based in Cape Town’s CBD, she coaches adult swimmers – from beginners to experienced athletes – and introduces many to the ocean for the first time.
“I teach adults how to swim, and I also guide groups into the ocean,” Kennedy said.
“It’s not about speed – it’s about learning, understanding the environment, and building confidence. Swimming is a life skill, and it’s never too late to learn.”
Her training philosophy is rooted in discipline and consistency, often in harsh conditions.
“I train in cold water all the time – whether it’s the ocean or an outdoor pool. Even in winter, early mornings – that’s how you build resilience,” she said.
Still pushing limits at 59
Even after completing her quadruple crossing, Kennedy’s determination has not slowed.
“This was my final goal in my fifties – I turn 60 in May,” she said. “But there will definitely be more challenges in my sixties. I’m not finished with the ocean yet.”
Kennedy admitted the physical toll was immense.
“After the swim, I was completely exhausted. I couldn’t sleep – my body was still moving with the ocean,” she said. “But you recover. You rest. And then you get back to it.”
Kennedy added that her recovery was simple.
“I just laid in front of the TV and ate whatever I felt like – toast with avocado and egg, and my rooibos tea,” she laughed. “Anything I craved, I ate.”
Wrapped up to help restore her body temperature, Karen Kennedy savours the moment after completing her quadruple Robben Island crossing – elated, exhausted and just over 10 hours later, triumphant.
Dominating in and out of the ocean
Kennedy has also been making waves in competitive swimming.
At the George Masters National Pool Championships, held just days before her quadruple swim, she competed in a new age category.
“In masters swimming, you compete in the age group you’ll be at the end of the year, so I was ageing up into the 60 to 64 category,” she said.
“I wanted to compete as the youngest in that group and really push myself.”
READ | Cape Town woman, 59, first and fastest to swim four Robben Island crossings in ‘skins’
Focusing on her strengths, she entered longer-distance events – and delivered.
“I targeted the 400m, the 800m, and the 3km open water swim,” Kennedy said. “I’m proud to say I won gold in all three.”
She also competed in shorter events and relays, contributing to her team’s overall performance.
“I always give it my all, no matter the distance,” Kennedy said.
Training with Ocean Fit Cape Town, she continues to balance pool competition with demanding open-water challenges.
‘There’s no expiry date’
Ultimately, Kennedy hopes her story inspires others – especially older adults – to push beyond self-imposed limits.
“We limit ourselves, and we don’t have to,” she said.
“Not everyone needs to swim a quadruple – but set your own goal and go for it.”
Standing on the shoreline, looking out over the same waters she has conquered time and time again, Kennedy told News24 she felt nothing but pride.
“I’m very proud,” she said. “And I hope people realise – you can always start again.”
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