On 31 August 2017, South African swimmers will take part in a crazy swim around the island of Ibiza.
Madswimmer is a South African non-profit company that was founded by Jean Craven in 2009. Since its inception, Madswimmer has successfully completed all 6 recognised intercontinental swims as well as various other open water swims – all in aid of charity.
They have raised nearly R5million for charitable causes – all intended to inspire hope and enable opportunity in the lives of South Africa’s children.
In November 2016, Madswimmer took to the Dead Sea in a World record breaking swim to raise awareness to the rapid depletion of this incredible natural resource.
In May this year, they joined forces with a team of international open water swimmers from 5 different nations, to raise awareness to the plight of migrant workers crossing the ocean borders between Mexico and the USA.
And, in just one day, they’ll be taking to the water once again, this time in an exciting collaboration with Lucky Life, to complete an epic swim AROUND the island of Ibiza.
10 Swimmers, 4 days, 105km
They are raising money, awareness and support for two different causes. Madswimmer are raising funds for Guild – an organisation supporting and healing sexually abused South African Children since 1907.
“Guild Cottage started in 1907 as a home for orphaned children and has evolved into South Afria’s only specialist residential treatment centre for sexually abused and traumatised children.”
“Using international best practice, Guild Cottage now leads the way in developing remedial programmes that are giving sexually abused children a second chance for full rehabilitation and recovery.”
“The Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) further works in communities to prevent and identify abuse through awareness and education programme.”
The Lucky Life family are supporting the Aquarium Cap Blanc Ibiza assisting them in some of their marine life projects including regeneration of posidonia, sea turtles and sea-horses, as well as giving some love, care and attention back to the oceans and sealife so heavily abused during Ibiza summer seasons.
“Probably the most interesting thing happening in Ibiza this summer, and one of our greatest event collaborations to date!” Says Lucky Life’s Mike Parry, South African born and raised now living full time in ibiza, has slowly chipped away at a dream of connecting SA to Ibiza, music, arts, food and culture.”
“What better a way to bring two lands, two nations together than with this very special charity event around Ibiza. We have spent the last few months arranging licensing, permits, sponsors, and, of course, a party celebrating the completion of the event, and we had to wait until final approval before we could announce the event…it’s been tough keeping quiet about this one for so long!”
“A very big thanks goes out to all the amazing people and businesses of Ibiza that have sponsored, supported and helped bring this all together, giving away their time, services and equipment FOR FREE during peak summertime, and a big salute to all the swimmers for their courageous efforts! It seems as though we’ve all gone mad already!”
In an effort to raise nearly R500 000.00 for the two causes, ten of the Madwimmers will step into the Mediterranean on the 31st August 2017, to begin their four-day challenge around the islands of Ibiza.
- Day One is a 26km swim (between 8 and 9 hours) from the North side of Talamanca, ending in Aguas Blancas.
- Day Two is around 25.5km – and again, up to 9 hours in the ocean … this route will take the swimmers from Aguas Blancas to Ses Balandres Santa Agnes
- Day Three is our longest day, with a 28km swim, and over 9 hours – from Ses Balandres Santa Agnes, ending in Cala D’Hort. On this day, the swimmers will need to embark boats at Cala Gracio and pass the port on board, as they may not swim across the port entrance.
- Day Four, the final day, is a 25km swim from Cala d’hort to Figurettas.
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