The chances of a swimmer being attacked by a shark in the ocean are miniscule. By nature, sharks are not aggressive towards humans unless they mistake us for food or they’re provoked.
Good practice would be:
The ocean is the shark’s habitat, not ours – always respect that.
Keep right on swimming.
And keep your distance. You’re a stranger in the seal’s world so if he approaches, he’s merely curious.
Some species of jelly fish are more venomous than others – the box jellyfish for example being the most poisonous, potentially even life-threatening.
Generally though, the symptoms will be limited to extreme pain nausea, or perhaps laboured breathing.
Very, VERY, dangerous!
Try to avoid them at all costs as you can get seriously and ill to the point of needing hospitalisation.
If you accidentally encounter a spill:
Get medical attention immediately.
Wash yourself thoroughly as though your life depends on it – because it does!
Concentrate especially on washing your hands, face and hair and any broken skin or sensitive areas.
Not taking the right precautions can lead to dysentery, gastroenteritis, hepatitis, and even leptospirosis.
Never swim alone and always alert a fellow swimmer when you feel an attack coming on.
Concentrate on breathing slowly, deeply and consciously in through your nose and out through your mouth
Turn onto your back if you like and take in the smells, the sights, the sounds, and the sensation of the ocean.
Absorb your surroundings and focus on being in the moment.
Once grounded again, continue swimming to the shore, even choosing backstroke or breaststroke if that makes you more comfortable.
It’s highly likely that you won’t know for sure. That’s why you should never swim alone.
Unmanaged or unrecognised hypothermia is very dangerous.
Fellow swimmers will notice the following in you:
Fatigue/weakness
Laboured breathing
Disorientation and confusion
Possibly shivering
Slurred, incoherent speech
Visible drowsiness
You may be aware of:
Weakness
Feeling sleepy
Numb or tingling extremities
Extreme fatigue
It’s important to get out of the water and any wet clothing ASAP and to concentrate on getting warm and dry, seeking medical help if necessary.
Sure, it can!
It’s important never to go it alone in the ocean.
The best way would be with the guidance of an experienced coach, a swimming guide or a proficient ocean swimmer.
Go at your own pace, starting slowly in shallow water or simply spending time on the beach observing the ocean.
Practice conscious breathing, inhaling deeply through your nose and slowly out through your mouth.
Create a happy picture of yourself swimming with confidence through the waves.
Using baby steps, gradually increase your exposure to the water, especially if it’s cold water.
A reasonable degree of swimming fitness to begin with is highly advisable.
If you can swim 600 – 800 meters comfortably in the pool, then you could start with 10 to15 minutes in the ocean until you’re acclimatised.
The fitter you become, the more proficient and enjoyable your swimming will become.
Be sure you know how to tread water and float on your back before setting out.
Radically different!
It takes time and a skilled guide to become familiar with all the curve balls of ocean swimming.
Ocean conditions are very unpredictable.
Learn to handle yourself in the water.
Acclimatise to cold water before attempting a long swim in it.
Become familiar with potential marine life you may encounter whilst swimming.
Respect the ocean from the outset and never pollute it in any way.
Many factors can impact your swim:
Water temperature in relation to ambient temperature
Wave strength, height and frequency
Wind factors
Currents
Rip tides
Visibility
Support system
There’s quite a bit of ground to cover here.
You should be a strong, confident swimmer, able to swim at least 600 – 800 meters in warm water.
You should be reasonably fit.
You should be acclimatised to cold water.
And you should know how to manage and control your breathing.
Each person is different, but the general rule of thumb is to take it slowly, because sudden exposure to cold water is stressful and can result in shock.
Start with splashing your face and neck with cold water. Manage your breathing.
Then stand in cold water. Manage your breathing.
Gradually increase your body’s exposure from the feet to the calves, knees and thighs as you become more comfortable. Manage your breathing.
Start taking a lukewarm shower as often as you can, gradually turning the water temp down until you are comfortable standing under a steady stream of cold water. You guessed it – manage your breathing.
When you feel ready to venture into the ocean with your whole body, start in shallow water and preferably have a buddy or a guide with you.
Start by being cardio vascularly fit.
Consider being coached or guided by a qualified instructor in the beginning.
Never swim alone.
Choose the right spot.
Sighting is critically important for several reasons and best learned from an experienced instructor.
Broadly speaking, start by observing these guidelines.
Identify and use landmarks.
Swim in a line with a recognisable non-moving landmark.
Use the sun’s position if you can, to estimate your direction.
Learn to lift your head and take quick glances at your surroundings whilst you swim.
Remain focussed.
Absolutely. Our squads are structured by lane, accommodating all abilities — from beginners looking for a consistent fitness routine to seasoned swimmers and triathletes needing targeted event prep. We believe the biggest barrier to success is starting, and everyone is welcome in our supportive environment.
We offer flexible monthly packages (1x, 2x, 3x or 4x sessions per week). Unlike other clubs, we also offer a non-binding ad-hoc ‘drop-in’ attendance option for ease and flexibility
Safety is paramount. Coach Karen is a highly experienced open water specialist. All ocean swims require mandatory safety buoys, are conducted with clear instructions on sighting and conditions, and always maintain a coach-to-swimmer ratio compliant with safety standards.
We recommend a minimum of 12 to 24 weeks of focused, personalised preparation. This ensures proper cold water adaptation, injury-free endurance build-up, and necessary race strategy implementation.
Not as a rule but every necessary precaution is taken to ensure your safety in the water during simulation swims. Safety boat support and an observer are however present during the event itself.
Speed is less critical than consistent endurance and mental resilience. Our program is tailored to build this specific efficiency, allowing you to maintain a steady, sustainable pace for hours in challenging conditions.
The initial session includes a verbal goal review, an in-water evaluation, and personalised analysis of your current technique. We then use this data to draft your training priorities and recommend the most effective path forward, ensuring every minute of your coaching is focused on results.
Sessions are booked on an individual basis, offering maximum flexibility. We work with your schedule to secure training slots at the optimal location (pool, tidal pool, or ocean) that aligns with the specific skill you need to master.
Yes. We offer fully personalised, remote programs with interactive monitoring and feedback. This is perfect for the highly disciplined swimmer with a busy schedule or for those who live outside the immediate Cape Town area but still require Coach Karen’s technical oversight.
Programmes are tailored to your event date or fitness goal, typically ranging from a minimum of four weeks up to a full six-month preparation cycle. The duration is entirely flexible and designed to safely and progressively lead to your goal.
The process is comprehensive but efficient: it begins with a consultation and a detailed questionnaire about your swim history and available training time. Coach Karen then reviews this data to craft a periodised, individual plan that guarantees continuous improvement.
Yes. All programmes include dedicated time for feedback, adjustments, and Q&A (usually via weekly or bi-weekly check-ins), ensuring professional oversight and accountability throughout your training cycle.
This programme is ideal for anyone training more than three times a week, especially those training in cold water or preparing for an endurance swim over 5km, as well as swimmers looking to optimise body composition and weight to support peak performance. Small nutritional changes can unlock massive gains in performance and recovery that training alone cannot provide.
The initial consultation is typically 60 minutes. Generally, follow up consultations of approximately 20 minutes twice a month leading up to the event are recommended. It is all ‘individual specific’ so: ENQUIRE
While the primary focus is event fueling, we provide foundational guidance on daily nutrition principles for endurance swimmers. If you require a multi-week, personalised daily meal plan, we can integrate this as an advanced feature in your consultation package.
We accept all major credit/debit cards, EFTs (Electronic Fund Transfers), and payment via our secure online booking platform.
We require 24 hours’ notice for cancellation or postponement of all private sessions to ensure fairness to the coach and other clients. Full details are available in our Terms and Conditions.
