WTF Swims

In 2024, Arno Tan and Nicholas Robertson of Australia became the first persons in history to swim across the Perhentian Channel (17km) in the direction of mainland to island.

Their exploit has now been published on the Marathon Swimmers Federation (MSF) website, and is undergoing review by the MSF committee for ratification.

https://ultraswimming.org/swims/2024/tan-robertson-perhentian/

There are now 5 swims in Malaysia on the MSF’s list of documented swims.

WTF Swims is honoured to have helped make this swim by Arno and Nick a success. 📸 Ariff Budiman

Our photographer Ariff Budiman Abdul Halim is currently sailing with the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) on a mission to break the blockade on Gaza. Our prayers is for the safety and well-being of all those on board and that the mission will succeed in opening a humanitarian corridor to the enclave.

Global Sumud Flotilla Expected To Enter Red Zone Tomorrow - SNCC SNCC, Gaza, Global Sumud Flotilla, GSF, red zone,

American Jessica Kieras has set a new English Channel course record for backstroke in the women’s category. She finished the epic swim in 11hr 26min (unratified). Massive congratulations! Only the second female and fifth person to ever complete a backstroke swim of the English Channel.

Former navy diver plans to dolphin kick his way across the English Channel It will take 15 hours and he will have to dig deep to get through it but former clearance diver Ashley Semmens says he has got what it takes to swim the channel backwards.

NIGHT BACKSTROKE SWIM TO PULAU RHU (2.5km)
Swimmer: Ridzwan Rahim
Kayaker: Mohd Hafizuddin Amlin (Pie)

NIGHT swimming shenanigans. We got to do a fun experiment over the weekend—by swimming 2.5km from mainland to Pulau Rhu (Rhu Island), using only backstroke.

The exercise had dual purposes:
1. To see how far we could swim backstroke in open water.
2. To try using stars to navigate and register a straight GPS track.

Unfortunately the sky wasn’t clear last night, and our swimmer had to rely on the kayaker for navigation.

Nevertheless, we had good weather. The sea was calm and the air, still.

It was low tide. We had to walk quite a distance to get to deeper water.

That probably confused our Apple Watch and it registered the walk as 86m freestyle swim.

Once in deeper water, Ridzwan turned onto his back and swam nonstop towards the island, pausing a few times along the way to clear his throat.

The swim took 1hr 15min. Typically, we take an hour swimming freestyle to reach Pulau Rhu.

After a short break for refreshments, we swam back to the mainland using freestyle technique.

So now we know long distance backstroke swimming in the open water is perfectly doable, although one may get sore throat from ingesting seawater.

We hope to repeat this night backstroke experiment with clear sky.

WTF Swims was in Cape Town January this year to do this swim. Thank you Big Bay Events for the excellent support. Perhaps next time we will take the photography package. Table Mountain looks majestic.

Island Escape

If you are a novice swimmer looking to complete a Robben Island Crossing then our Island Escape package is perfect for you to achieve your goal

Starting requirement is to be able to comfortably swim 1.6km and we’ll get you ready for your EPIC swim

Package includes:-
🔹12 week training program
🔹WhatsApp support group with tips
🔹Speedo discount voucher
🔹Branded swim cap
🔹Branded towel
🔹Personalised medal
🔹Encouragement from passionate crew
🔹Beach recovery and hot chocolate
🔹Electronic certificate of completion
🔹Professional photographer on board

Training program guides you through distances that should be completed weekly including both pool and open water

WhatsApp group provides a weekly training schedule, constant motivation, tips on nutrition and interactive guidance and support all the way to your confirmed swim date. We also arrange a zoom meeting 2 days prior to your swim date for any additional questions or concerns you may have

You are paired up with a swim partner of similar pace so you are not alone and the Group launches from Oceana Powerboat Club

Boats all run in a line so you have the option of moving forward or dropping back depending on how you feel on swim day

We have got you covered with experienced and knowledgeable crew and supporting 1st time swimmers across is always a magical experience for us

Beach support ensures that you are fully recovered from your cold water swim with blankets, hot water bottles and warm hot chocolate in our sheltered recovery area

Island Escape runs from October - May
Entries opening soon for our new season but if you want to be notified when entries open then drop us a message

Off-season shenanigans. Our first ever swim test in the wildly chaotic swells of Kem Damai Besut during monsoon season. Great fun! Video is in Bahasa and Kelantanese.

Monsun swim ... santai petang sebelum berbuka Pantai Bukit Keluang, Kem Damai Beach Resort Besut .