Fish Hoek High teacher makes a splash for SPCA
A Fish Hoek High School teacher has swum to Robben Island to raise awareness and money for the Cape of Good Hope SPCA.
Kim Adams, 58, did the 7.4km swim, on Monday July 1, in two hours and 35 minutes alongside record-breaking endurance athlete Howard Warrington.
Ms Adams has been a teacher for 36 years and she has been at Fish Hoek High for the past six years after moving from East London in 2017. She teaches computer application technology to Grades 10, 11 and 12 and economic management sciences and computers to Grade 8.
She swam competitively for Eastern Province until age 20 and made the shadow Springbok team in 1986. She has long dreamed of completing the Robben Island crossing.
"When we arrived in Fish Hoek, I joined an open-water swimming group and fell in love with open water swimming," she said.
She partnered with Mr Warrington, who completed his 200th crossing on Sunday June 23.
"Howard was incredibly encouraging and put my mind at ease about some obvious fears and reservations," Ms Adams said.
Fish Hoek High School's marketing department, led by Celeste Venter, promoted the swim and encouraged public donations for the SPCA, contributing to Mr Warrington’s fund-raising goal of R200 000.
The swim was largely smooth, apart from some red tide, Ms Adams said.
"It was such a wonderful feeling of achieving a long-time dream! The first thing I did after finishing was head for the shower to warm up, then hug my daughter, Kaylee, who was my seconder on the boat.“
Mr Warrington praised Ms Adams, saying, "Kim is a lovely person and an incredible athlete. She swam exceptionally well in tough conditions. It was an honour to swim with her.“
He broke the world record, at 133 crossings, two-and-a-half years ago and set his first Guinness World Record at 155 crossings.
"My 200th crossing Guinness World Record will be for the first person to achieve 200 crossings," he said.
"The SPCA will always be dear to my heart because of their passion and commitment to helping animals in need. The SPCA team is doing an incredible job, but they need funds.“
SPCA chief inspector Jaco Pieterse said: "Our hospital is a high-volume facility, and there is a growing demand for our services. Running at a loss of more than R5 million annually is unfortunately not sustainable. Howard's contribution is as enormous as his heart for animals and the people who love them."
Ms Adams said she hoped her achievement would inspire her pupils to never give up on their goals.
"Age is just a number – it just takes dedication, effort, and a positive attitude. And, very importantly, surround yourself with like-minded positive people in life," she said.
