Most people tend to slow down after a heart procedure. Derrick Levy, 78, has done the opposite: bounced off the operating table to put his ticker to the test with a 7.5km open-ocean swim from Robben Island to Big Bay, Bloubergstrand.
Six months ago Levy had four stents inserted into his heart at Cape Town's Netcare Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital. He was told to change his diet and get regular exercise.
Levy has opted to go one better by embarking on a rigorous swimming training programme under the watchful eye of one of the country's top swim coaches.
High-octane Levy is a well-known broker in the boating world, importing some of the most luxurious power boats in the world. He has helped build the profile of the South African boating sector and is himself a keen boating enthusiast and former national watersports champion. He represented South Africa in water-ski racing, barefoot water-skiing and hydroplane boat racing. With his late ski friend Helmut Winkler he still holds the European 500km non-stop record that they completed together behind the same boat.
Determined not to let his heart problems dampen his spirit, Levy decided to set himself the challenge of swimming from Robben Island to Blouberg Beach – the world-famous open ocean swim of just over 7km. Not only must swimmers brave cold water and ocean currents, they now face the additional threat of rabid seals, with increasing attacks on divers and recreational swimmers in recent months. Levy sought a rabies vaccine earlier this year in preparation for his swim, only to discover they are currently out of stock.
“About eight months ago after having a short swim, I woke up next morning feeling nauseous and fainted, getting stitches in my head and nose,” Levy told TimeLIVE Premium this week.
Tests revealed he had a buildup of plaque in his heart, necessitating four stents in his arteries.
He told his doctor the experience made him inclined to “either get a rocking chair or do an extreme sport like the Robben Island cold swim”.
He opted for the swim, fortified by blood thinners and anti-coagulants. About 10 days later he began training, starting with six degrees ice bath at the gym.
“No doctor could say whether the ice bath is good or bad for the blood going through the stents. So I just carried on. I was used to water skiing in warm Durban water and had to learn to get used to Atlantic cold water,” Levy said.
His training progressed quickly thanks to the guidance of former swimming champion Ayrton Sweeney. His 500m swims soon became 3km swims lasting around two hours. He now trains three times a week, spurred on by the thought of what lies ahead: a three- to four-hour swim in 14ºC water.
“I will only swim the Robben Island swim when coach Ayrton says I am fit enough,” Levy said.
Levy's epic swim has earned high praise, particularly in boating circles. Vanessa Davidson, executive head of the South African Boat Builders Export Council, said Levy had served on the Marine Industry Association of South Africa board.
“Boating World, his brokerage company he owns with his wife Suzanne, is a long-standing member of the industry association. His new adventures in the world of long-distance cold-water swimming are testament to his optimism — and giving everything 200%,” she said.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.