Curro Somerset West learner Tamarah Serfontein takes on icy open-water challenge alongside teacher
03 June 2025Matric learner Tamarah Serfontein from Curro Somerset West recently completed her first Harbour to Harbour open-water swim in Gordon’s Bay – a major milestone for any swimmer. Braving 15.6°C water and challenging sea conditions, Tamarah pushed through physical discomfort and uncertainty to reach the finish line, joined by her Geography teacher, Allen Hart, who completed the event for the fourth time.
An unforgettable first swim
The Harbour2Harbour Challenge, a 1.6 km ocean swim between the old harbour and Harbour Island, demands physical and mental endurance. For Tamarah, it marked a turning point.
‘Completing my first Harbour2Harbour swim was truly exhilarating,’ she said. ‘The surge of joy was unlike anything I had experienced before. I realised I was stronger than I ever thought – mentally and physically.’
That strength was tested throughout the race. Within minutes of entering the water, Tamarah’s hands began to go numb. As the shivering set in, the temptation to stop grew stronger. But she pushed forward.
‘I kept telling myself, “You’ve got this” and “Just a few more strokes” to stay motivated and swim faster to the finish line.’
From pool to ocean
Tamarah prepared for the race by swimming up to 3 km at a time in the school pool and doing cardio workouts at home. But the ocean brought its own surprises. She had to adjust to swimming without the comfort of a pool floor and found herself drifting off-course in the current.
‘I felt dizzy with all the swells at first, but I eventually learned to swim with them. That helped me keep my rhythm and get rid of the dizziness.’
Looking back, Tamarah described her swim as a lesson in resilience. ‘Every stroke reminded me of the importance of staying focused, even when the water worked against me.’
She’s already setting her sights on a new goal: swimming to Robben Island and back. ‘This challenge has inspired me to push further. I want to carry this same energy into other areas of life – discipline, consistency, and perseverance.’
Her advice to future open-water swimmers is simple: ‘Go for it! You’ve got this! Prepare well, embrace the adventure, and you’ll surprise yourself with what you can do.’
Guided by experience
Allen Hart has been part of four Harbour2Harbour swims and is no stranger to endurance events. He’s also taken part in the X-Terra off-road triathlon and recommends the Bridge House Mile as a standout event.
He elaborated: ‘The H2H has such an awesome vibe. Young and less young people from all over come together and enjoy the fun and spirit. It also requires some training, so goal setting and planning are part of it.’
Allen helped Tamarah prepare for the mental aspects of open-water swimming, especially the fast-paced start. ‘I told her to take it rustig – stay calm and focus. The start can be hectic, but keeping your head helps you settle in.’
Tamarah’s willingness to train and enter the race spoke volumes to him. ‘Swimming in the sea during winter takes a measure of courage. She showed real resilience and finished strong.’
Beyond the finish line
Asked what qualities help a swimmer succeed in an event like this, Allen highlighted three: commitment, calmness, and the ability to step outside your comfort zone.
‘Swim training and competing isn’t always peachy,’ he said. ‘You have to be willing to train and stay level-headed when the pressure builds.’
Together, Tamarah and Allen showed what it means to tackle personal challenges head-on – through preparation, mindset, and the grit to keep going when the water gets cold.