The swim started as a fun communal way to appreciate the outdoor open water sport of swimming.
A number of the participants use the swim as a training ground for the Robben Island crossing. Albeit the route is around a nautical mile whereas the crossing is 7.5km/11.5km respectively it does provide an introduction to cold watier and deep water swimming.
Swimmers can elect to wear wetsuits as it is a fun swim. Only a handful do though.