Cape Town heart surgeon Otto Thaning has, at 80, has become the oldest person to swim the 7.5km from Robben Island to the mainland.
Thaning braved water temperature of 16 degrees and completed the crossing in 2hr 52min.
He was accompanied in the water by Martin Goodman and on the boat by Roger Finch and Lewis Pugh.
The surgeon is also the oldest man to swim the 34km English Channel, which he did in 2014 aged 73.
Huge congratulations to Dr Otto Thaning who has just completed a Robben Island swim at 80 years old!!! 2 hours 52 minutes. 🏆🏊♂️🏊♂️ pic.twitter.com/ZT47nKTIfz
— Lewis Pugh (@LewisPugh) April 4, 2021
A very big thank you to Martin Goodman who paced him, Roger Finch his pilot, and Luke Lalin his coach. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/Ec8fSagydw
— Lewis Pugh (@LewisPugh) April 4, 2021
“I’ve exercised regularly, throughout my life. I want my heart to pump! I’d love to swim Robben Island again when I’m 85. Now I’m going home for a big lunch and a sleep.”
Dr Otto Thaning – cardiac surgeon and 80 year old Robben Island swimmer
— Lewis Pugh (@LewisPugh) April 4, 2021