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Would You Swim From Noordhoek to Kings Beach in Winter?

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Long distance swimming sensation Kyle Main will take on Algoa Bay’s “wild side” in mid-winter (on 9 July)  in another epic training swim ahead of his record-breaking English Channel attempt in September.

Main will attempt to swim, a turbulent stretch of 18km from Noordhoek to King’s Beach in Port Elizabeth, as one of his final big training sea swims in preparation for the crossing, in nothing more than a speedo.

This promises to be a very challenging attempt with Port Elizabeth’s recent, extremely cold weather and dangerous currents.

In order to acclimatise himself to the low temperature of the English Channel, Main, 28, is tackling his final training swims without a wetsuit.

Main (29) has only about 2 months of training left before the long awaited, record breaking Channel Crossing in the first week of September when he will attempt to cross the channel from Dover to Callais – a distance of 36 km – in only 8 and a half hours.

This swim will be an essential part of Main’s training to become the fastest African ever to cross the English Channel.

The fastest recorded time for this distance is 06:57:50 and was accomplished by the Bulgarian, Petar Stoychev in 2007. If Main succeeds,it will be a groundbreaking achievement for this long distance swimming pioneer who has already achieved five first time ever swims in his ongoing endeavour to set new records.

During 2011 Main has swum the full length of the Sunday’s River from Barkly Bridge to the mouth (24km) and completed a unique triple Bell Buoy challenge (21km) in rough seas in April.

He will wrap up his preparations with continued weekend sea-swims of up to 4 hours, a pool marathon of 20km and a training camp at Marina Martinque, during which he will clock up 60kms.

Sponsored by Fresenius Kabi, Finmap and Axxess Main said the “wild side” swim and his channel attempt  “would contribute to the city’s brand as the Watersport Capital of Africa and Adventure.”

Kyle Main
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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.