Main completes epic swim ahead of schedule
Article Date: 13 April 2009
Well-known Port Elizabeth swimmer Kyle Main added to his already impressive resume when he became the first person to complete a double crossing to the bell buoy from Hobie Beach at the MTN Nelson Mandela Bay Splash Festival in Port Elizabeth today.
The 26-year-old former four-time winner of the Redhouse River Mile completed the swim of approximately 14 kilometres in three hours and seven minutes.
Despite losing “between seven and 10 minutes” when he veered off course during the first crossing, he finished well ahead of schedule.
“My target time was between three-and-a-half and four hours, but on seeing my split at the halfway mark, I realised I could get close to three hours.”
He said he focused on achieving similar splits for the two crossings and therefore had to work much harder during the second half. “The waves also became more and more choppy during the second lap.”
Main, who has built a reputation on attempting new long-distance solo open water swims, found himself among a school of about 200 dolphins on his first crossing. He said this was par for the course for swims in the bay.
“You almost expect them. When I did the first (ever) crossing of Algoa Bay, I was chaperoned by dolphins and a whale.”
According to him, the swim was slightly tougher than he had expected, especially due to the currents around the bell buoy and on the way back. The wind was also not in his favour.
“It was offshore (a westerly) at the time and I suspect and easterly would have been slightly easier.”
Whereas swimmers were used to the conditions and currents on the well-known “courses” in Algoa Bay, a swim like this took you out of your comfort zone, said Main.
He said it was “a nice legacy” to attempt groundbreaking swims and he was already eyeing the next one, which will take place later this year.
Main – who was assisted by two boats and four paddlers – will also attempt a solo crossing of the English Channel next year, which can take anything from eight-and-half to 10 hours.
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