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Record breaking

EXTREME MARATHON SWIMMER

"ONE OF AFRICA'S STRONGEST OPEN WATER SWIMMERS" - CNN

Carina Bruwer stands as one of Africa’s most decorated female open water marathon swimmers, specialising in distances between 10 and 40km.  Since 2002, she has pioneered numerous swims across some of the world’s most challenging and uncharted waters, often being the first or fastest to do so. Her endeavours are not just about personal achievement but are deeply rooted in purpose, aiming to raise awareness and funds for various South African charities and causes.

Most Notable Solo Swims

12 Mar 2021
Across Walker Bay, South Africa
FIRST AND ONLY PERSON
21km • 06h12
17 Sep 2018
Triple Country Swim, France – Monaco – Italy (Nice to Venimiglia)
FIRST SWIMMER
21km • 7h01
21 Jun 2014
Messina Straits Quadruple Crossing, Italy to Sicily and back twice
FURTHEST SWIM BY A WOMAN IN THE MESSINA STRAITS
15km • 03h59
27 Apr 2005
Around Robben Island Swim
Held OVERALL RECORD for 8 years
11km • 3h07
11 Aug 2004
DANGER POINT – Gansbaai
First person to round
11km • 3h16
28 Feb 2020
Across Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa
FIRST FEMALE
19km • 05h15
14 Jun 2019
Tabarca – Alicante, Spain
FIRST SA SWIMMER
18km • 4h40
15 Jun 2005
Straits of Gibraltar crossing
Held FEMALE WORLD RECORD for 7 years
16km • 3h35
15 Oct 2004
Northern-most point of Africa – Bizerte, Tunisia
First person to round
16km • 3h50
27 Apr 2004
Cape Agulhas
First female and first South African to swim around
11km • 2h16
26 Feb 2006
Across False Bay, South Africa
FIRST SA WOMAN; THIRD SWIMMER EVER
36km • 10h58
1 Aug 2005
English Channel Crossing, England to France
FASTEST SA WOMAN
36km • 12h03
17 Jun 2014
Straits of Bonifacio crossing, Corsica (France) to Sardinia (Italy)
15km • 04h28
2007 & 2014
Robben Island to Bloubergstrand & Three Anchor Bay
9 crossings to date; Best time: 1h58
7.5km & 11km
27 Mar 2004
Cape Point
First South African to swim around – FASTEST TIME (broken since). Still holds Female record
8.5km • 2h20

Recent Race Results

1st overall in the WBO Sorts Fest 5km Swim
1h16 • 2025
1st woman and 5th overall in the Shipwrecked 5km Swim
1h01 • 2025
1st overall in 3.8km / 1st female and 5th overall in 2.9km at Swim GP Portugal 2024
2024
1st female and 5th overall in 2024 Nelson Mandela Bay Bell Buoy Challenge 5km
1h16 • 2024
2nd female in 2024 Rotary Waterfront Canal Challenge Mile
21:41 • 2024
2nd female and 4th overall in 2023 Harmonie Mutuelle: Open Swim Stars – Paris 10km
2h25 • 2023
1st female and 2nd overall in 2023 Langebaan Express 12km
2h50 • 2023
1st female, 2nd overall in 2023 Walker Bay Extreme 5km
1h07 • 2023
1st female age group in 2023 Italian Open Water Tour Monate 5km
1h18 • 2023

I swim to explore what’s possible — in the water, and in life.

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★★★★★

"COURAGOUES, DAREDEVIL, PIONEER"

CNN

Carina Bruwer is one of Africa’s most decorated female open water marathon swimmers, a motivational speaker, an internationally renowned musician, a successful entrepreneur, an activist and a mother of three. Known for boldly going where most do not – in the ocean, as well as in business and life – Carina’s trailblazing work has taken her across the world where she has entertained and inspired millions of people from diverse backgrounds.

Driven by a desire to push boundaries and create meaningful impact, Carina combines her extraordinary adventures with a powerful message of resilience and possibility. Whether in icy waters, on international stages, or through her ventures, she empowers others to rise above limitation and chart their own courageous path.

Most Notable Solo Swims

Across False Bay, South Africa
FIRST SA WOMAN; THIRD SWIMMER EVER
26 Feb 2006 • 36km • 10h58
English Channel Crossing, England to France
FASTEST SA WOMAN
1 Aug 2005 • 36km • 12h03
Across Walker Bay, South Africa
FIRST AND ONLY PERSON
12 Mar 2021 • 21km • 06h12
Across Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa
FIRST FEMALE
28 Feb 2020 • 19km • 05h15
Triple Country Swim, France–Monaco–Italy (Nice to Venimiglia)
FIRST SWIMMER
17 Sep 2018 • 21km • 7h01
Tabarca–Alicante, Spain
FIRST SA SWIMMER
14 Jun 2019 • 18km • 4h40
Messina Straits Quadruple Crossing, Italy–Sicily and back twice
FURTHEST SWIM BY A WOMAN IN THE MESSINA STRAITS
21 Jun 2014 • 15km • 03h59
Straits of Gibraltar crossing
HELD FEMALE WORLD RECORD FOR 7 YEARS
15 Jun 2005 • 16km • 3h35
Straits of Bonifacio crossing, Corsica (France) to Sardinia (Italy)
17 Jun 2014 • 15km • 04h28
Key West Marathon, USA
FEMALE WINNER, 3RD OVERALL
June 2006 • 20km • 4h39
International Swimming Crossing of the Toroneos Gulf, Greece
FEMALE WINNER, 4TH OVERALL
23 Jul 2005 • 26km • 7h58
Robben Island to Bloubergstrand & Three Anchor Bay
9 crossings to date; Best: 1h58 (2007, 2014)
Around Robben Island Swim
HELD OVERALL RECORD FOR 8 YEARS
27 Apr 2005 • 11km • 3h07
Northern-most point of Africa – Bizerte, Tunisia
FIRST PERSON
15 Oct 2004 • 16km • 3h50
DANGER POINT – Gansbaai
FIRST PERSON
11 Aug 2004 • 11km • 3h16
Cape Agulhas
FIRST FEMALE & SA; BROKE LEWIS PUGH'S RECORD BY 2 HOURS
27 Apr 2004 • 11km • 2h16
Cape Point
FIRST SA; FASTEST TIME (broken since), STILL HOLDS FEMALE RECORD
27 Mar 2004 • 8.5km • 2h20

Recent Results

Swim GP Portugal 2024
1st overall in 3.8km / 1st female, 5th overall in 2.9km
2024 Jendamark Bell Buoy Challenge 5km
1st female, 5th overall • 1h16
2024 Rotary Waterfront Canal Challenge Mile
2nd female • 21:41
2023 Harmonie Mutuelle: Open Swim Stars – Paris 10km
2nd female, 4th overall • 2h25
2023 Langebaan Express 12km
1st female, 2nd overall • 2h50
2023 Walker Bay Extreme 5km
1st female, 2nd overall • 1h07
2023 Italian Open Water Tour Monate 5km
1st female age group • 1h18
Simonstown Mile 2021, 2022, 2023
1st overall; new course record 22:09 (Aug 2022)
Gran Fondo Cinque Terre, Italy (June 2019)
1st female, 3rd overall (15km)
Aquamasters OWS Championships, Turkey 2018
1st female, 2nd overall (10km); 1st female, 4th overall (5km)
Knysna Splash 3km, Dec 2021 & Red2Head 10km, Dec 2021
1st 18+ female, 4th overall (3km); 1st overall (10km)
Marnaton EDreams Sant Feliu de Guixols, Spain (June 2019)
4th female overall, 1st age group (13km)
Aquamasters OWS Championships, Turkey (Sep 2018)
1st female, 2nd overall (10km); 1st female, 4th overall (5km)
South African Open Water Swimming Championships
2nd female (25km); 1st place overall (10km)
Western Province Open Water Swimming Championships, Mykonos
1st female, 3rd overall (10km)
False Bay 12km Iron Man Swimming Challenge
1st Female (Simonstown to Muizenberg)

“Our victories do not define us. It’s the time we spend quietly but relentlessly swimming upstream which transforms us and in turn allows us to make a difference in this world” – Carina

"Carina entertains and inspires like no one else. She was a speaker for 2 of our events and both times I had goosebumps and happy tears of joy. She is so Inspiring and I could listen to her talk for hours. And on top of that, she is so talented as a musician. I am a fan for life.” - Melissa Slaymaker, Women In Tech

– Melissa Slaymaker, Women In Tech

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