A former Rhodes University student will attempt to do something that has never been done before – a 96km non-stop swimming expedition.
Cameron Bellamy will be making his way around the island of Barbados‚ a swim that is expected to take him no less than a day and a half.
This swim is longer than the Comrades Marathon, an 89km ultramarathon.
“There is a buzz of excitement and a huge following here among the locals in Barbados‚” his mother‚ Janita Bellamy‚ said.
“He is doing all these challenges to bring in donations for a charity he set up‚ educating youngsters in our rural Eastern Cape.”
Cameron said the donations would go to the Ubunye Foundation in Grahamstown, with which he has been working since 2011.
“I went to Rhodes and feel very close to the Eastern Cape,” he said.
“We focus on early childhood development projects in the region.”
Bellamy is no stranger to pushing the boundaries in the water‚ having already swum the English Channel and the Oceans Seven marathon.
He was meant to start his swim around the island on Monday night, but it had to be postponed due to the weather.
It is not yet clear when the swim will take place, though it could be as soon as Friday.
“Cameron has chosen to swim mostly at night due to the scorching sunshine‚ to finish early morning [a day and a half later]‚ back at Carlisle Bay‚” Janita said.
Swimming magazine Outdoorswimmer.com described the Barbados waters as a swimmer’s paradise.
“The water is clear and warm and‚ on the southern and western sides‚ usually calm. Swimmers can look forward to seeing turtles‚ stingrays‚ tropical fish and beautiful corals in the water‚” the magazine said.
“However‚ the north and east coasts are exposed to the full force of the Atlantic Ocean.
“Local folklore considers this part of the island to be non-swimmable due to strong and unpredictable currents.”
Bellamy said he trained for a year to prepare for the swim.
“I swim usually between 15 and 25 hours a week and up to 40 hours a week.
“[I decided to do the swim as] I’ve been to visit a South African friend, Adam Cripwell, who lives on the island, to do some training for other swims.
“I’ve really got to love the island and especially the local swimming community.
“I asked Adam once if anybody had ever swum around Barbados. He said no, although a few people have tried.
“I haven’t been able to get the idea out of my head since then. It’s a beautiful place to swim and I feel very privileged to be making this attempt.”
Janita said she was extremely proud of Cameron for braving the challenge, though the previous swims had been emotional rollercoasters for her.
“When currents are behaving and not dragging him away from his objective [and] he is swimming strongly, not missing a beat – which he seems to do easily for the first 12 hours – I feel euphoric and so proud, wishing his father and grandparents were alive and sharing my emotions,” she said.
“But when the cold, bad seas and adverse tides come into play, I see the charts on the support boat that show so much more distance to go.
“I see him go through cramps, and hypothermia setting in – it’s torture and panic.
“But once he has achieved his mission it’s total joy, excitement and pride.”