Ryan Stramrood breaks record for fastest False Bay crossing

Extreme open water and ice swimmer Ryan Stramrood has become just the sixth solo swimmer in history to swim across False Bay in South Africa, breaking the record for the fastest crossing in the process.

Piloted by Big Bay Events, Stramrood bettered the previous fastest time set in 2007 by Barend Nortje by more than 80 minutes, completing the 34km swim in a record 8 hours 39 minutes.

Notorious for its cold water and wildlife, Stramrood battled rough conditions for a number of hours on his way to breaking the record.

Thanking his supporters on his Facebook page after the swim, he said: “Such incredible support. I am blown away humbled and emotional. Thank you all so much.”

Stramrood boasts an impressive collection of open water achievements, having completed the Robben Island crossing 115 times. He has also swum the English Channel, the Straight of Gibraltar, Rottnest Island, the double North Channel, and is a decorated ice swimmer. He is the first person to swim an official ice mile north of the Arctic Circle in Murmansk, Russia.