Imagine pushing your body to its absolute limits for over a full day and night, battling icy waters, relentless waves, and the crushing exhaustion that comes with nearly 28 hours of non-stop swimming. That’s exactly what Peet Crowther and Chris Oldnall, two incredible individuals connected to Pretoria Boys High School, accomplished on May 15th. They took on the formidable Double False Bay Crossing, a challenge so immense it became a legendary tale of human endurance. What they thought would be a 66km open-water swim quickly morphed into an epic fight against Mother Nature herself: fierce southeasterly winds, towering two-meter swells, bone-chilling temperatures between 15°C and 17°C, and powerful, unpredictable spring tides. This wasn’t just a swim; it was a testament to their unwavering spirit and a remarkable culmination of an ambitious swimming trilogy that had already seen them cover an astonishing 86km in previous swims. But their journey wasn’t just about personal achievement; it was fueled by a heartwarming mission to raise over R2-million to support talented young sportsmen and learners at Pretoria Boys High School, ensuring more than 50 students could access a world-class education.
For Chris Oldnall, the school’s Deputy Headmaster, this endeavor was deeply personal. He worried about the exodus of promising young athletes from Gauteng, seeking opportunities elsewhere. He understood that raw talent, especially in sport, needs nurturing environments to truly flourish. “It is a challenge for talented sportsmen to be placed in schools where their budding talents can be developed,” Oldnall explained, highlighting the critical need for initiatives like theirs. This trilogy of swims wasn’t just about conquering physical challenges; it was about creating academic pathways for young people. Working hand-in-hand with organizations like the SA Hall of Fame and sports bodies like the Titans, they built a project to uplift talented but underprivileged learners. His mantra, “Keep local talent local and do not export it to other provinces,” perfectly encapsulates their vision: to provide opportunities right at home, believing firmly in the potential within their community. The seeds of this incredible journey were sown over a simple breakfast, a testament to how big ideas can start in the most unassuming of moments. With Peet Crowther, an Old Boy who matriculated in 2007, joining forces with Oldnall, the project blossomed into a deeply symbolic endeavor, especially poignant as Pretoria Boys High School celebrated its 125th anniversary. As Oldnall proudly stated, “It is very good news for us that this was completed in the 125th anniversary year of the school.”
Months of relentless physical and mental preparation lay behind their incredible feat. “’Let’s do this’ was our attitude,” Oldnall recounted, describing their rigorous training regime in gym pools, the open sea, and at Langebaan with Big Bay Events. But for Peet Crowther, the allure of the open ocean transcended mere competition; it was a profound personal connection. He spoke of a lifelong love for nature, finding immense privilege in observing dolphins and other marine life, even when the weather turned rough. While his team kept a vigilant watch for potential dangers, like great white sharks, Crowther’s focus was often on the beauty surrounding him. Beyond the personal spiritual fulfillment, Crowther was deeply motivated by the chance to help others through sport. “I always wanted to help people and often place the interests of others above my own,” he shared. The idea of using sport to fund educational opportunities for children at Pretoria Boys High School immediately resonated with him, a privilege he eagerly embraced, especially because it was a team effort. This collaborative spirit, putting collective good above individual glory, was a driving force behind their monumental achievement.
Unlike many sporting events that prioritize speed and medals, ultra-distance open-water swimming delves into a unique realm of personal psychological challenge. As Crowther described it, “With long-distance open-water swimming, it becomes a challenge on many levels. Long after your body no longer wants to continue, your spirit has to take over to push you further so that you can reach your goal.” A seasoned marathon swimmer, Crowther confessed that he found far greater fulfillment in the isolated expanse of the ocean than in crowded, organized races. Comparing it to the famed Midmar Mile, he remarked, “There were simply too many people. In the open water, the feeling of being alone makes it a unique experience.” This profound solitude was only occasionally punctuated by the reassuring presence of their accompanying team on the boat and the breathtaking marine life that graced their journey. During the swim, Crowther and Oldnall were treated to extraordinary encounters with dolphins, seals, a turtle, and vast schools of tuna gliding beneath them through the dark waters. The ocean itself became more than just a challenging environment; it transformed into an integral part of their emotional and spiritual odyssey. Crowther beautifully articulated this, saying, “The luminescence of the water and those spiritual moments make it a life-changing experience.”
Peet Crowther’s connection to the ocean runs deeper than just personal passion; he also sees his swims as carrying an important environmental message, especially as marine pollution becomes increasingly evident along the South African coastline. “I believe awareness of the oceans is important,” he emphasized. Having lived in Pretoria for many years before relocating to Cape Town, Crowther now owns Display Wine, a company specializing in wine storage systems and display shelving. His environmental consciousness has been particularly heightened by the alarming amount of plastic pollution washing into the sea after severe storms in the Western Cape. “It became very noticeable after the storms when rivers flowed strongly into the sea, especially near beaches like Rooi-Els,” he observed, highlighting a pressing issue that affects us all. A significant source of inspiration for Crowther as a long-distance swimmer came from reading about Lewis Pugh, an internationally renowned extreme swimmer and environmental activist. Reflecting on his own awe-inspiring achievements, Crowther considers the False Bay single crossing, the recently completed double crossing, and the swim between Dassen Island and Robben Island among the most profoundly meaningful experiences of his life.
The statistics alone paint a powerful picture of Peet Crowther and Chris Oldnall’s extraordinary commitment: over 150km covered across their trilogy of swims, millions of Rands raised to unlock educational opportunities for young learners, and the sheer audacity of spending nearly 28 continuous hours in one of the world’s most demanding stretches of ocean during their final crossing on May 15-16. This epic trilogy began with a 33km False Bay crossing in November 2024 (likely a typo, and meant 2023 given the completion in 2024), followed by the historic 53km Robben Island to Dassen Island route in April 2025 (also likely a typo and meant 2024), a feat believed to be the first successful completion of this challenging crossing by South African open-water swimmers. These two men didn’t just swim; they inspired, they championed a cause, and they demonstrated the incredible power of human spirit when combined with a selfless mission. Their journey is a vibrant testament to endurance, community, and the belief that every young talent deserves a chance to shine, cementing their legacy not just in the annals of swimming, but in the hearts of those they’ve helped.