A ten-year-old girl with a big heart has beaten her own record to become the youngest swimmer to reach Robben Island.
Karli Fourie, a Grade 5 student at Laerskool Van Riebeeckstrand in Melkbosstrand, finished the 7.4km swim from Robben Island to Blouberg Beach in three hours and four minutes on Friday, accompanied by veteran swimmer Howard Warrington.
She intends to earn R50,000 for Home From Home, which assists foster children in the Western Cape.
A shy Fourie explained that she picked the organization because she cared about children who had to grow up without a mother or father.
“I don’t feel tired and I was not scared because I knew God was with me and his angels would protect me. I feel very proud and happy,” she said.
Fourie has completed the crossing before.
During a training session with Warrington last November, she set a new record for the youngest swimmer to make the trip.
Her proud mother, Anel Fourie, stated that the swim required extensive training.
“We wanted to see how she would deal with the cold open water because it is different from a swimming pool.
“She was only supposed to do a kilometre or three following the same rules, but continued the entire swim.
“Howard and the skipper kept asking her if she wanted to get out but she said no, she feels good.”
Warrington, 59, from Somerset West, said it was his 206th swim.
He said he knew Fourie through her mother, as they were old Comrades Marathon buddies.
“It was a beautiful swim and I am still on a high. I do a lot of support swimming with swimmers who want to give it a try but Karli was amazing.
“We had lots of jellyfish and seals, but luckily she did not have any ill effects. We do not encourage young people to do these kinds of big swims because it is not good for the body, but Karli is not an average 10-year-old, she is a very brave little girl.
“She is going to be an Olympian and has an endurance ability which I have not yet witnessed in many adults. “After her swim, Karli still had the ability to do 10 cartwheels.”
Fourie has reached her target of R50 000, but said any additional funds are welcome.
