Cape Town - A ten-year-old girl with a big heart has beaten her own time to become the newest record holder for the youngest swimmer to complete the Robben Island crossing.
Karli Fourie, a Grade 5 learner at Laerskool Van Riebeeckstrand in Melkbosstrand, completed the 7.4km swim from Robben Island to Blouberg Beach alongside veteran swimmer Howard Warrington on Friday in three hours and four minutes.
She hopes to raise R50 000 for Home From Home to assist foster children in the Western Cape.
A shy Fourie said she chose the charity because she felt for children who had to grow up without a mother and 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.
It was not the first time Fourie had completed the crossing.
In November last year she broke the record for the youngest swimmer to complete the crossing during a training session with Warrington.
Her proud mother, Anel Fourie, said lots of preparation went into the swim.
“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.
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