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Tony Sellmeyer
Anthony Sellmeyer is an open water swimmer from South Africa. He wrote a book about the exploits of South African swimmers called Open Water Swimming In South Africa, A Journal of the Cape Long Distance Swimming Association and was named a CLDSA Hero by the Cape Long Distance Swimming Association.
Contents
Open Water Swimming In South Africa[edit]
The book is in its third edition and is an inspirational journal on Open Water Swimming, containing articles, records, history, interesting stories, and much more.
History[edit]
The Cape Long Distance Swimming Association (CLDSA) was formed in 1969 largely as a result of interest generated in long distance swimming by the Robben Island to Woodstock race which was held in March of that year. A small group of swimmers and officials decided it was necessary to form a body to officiate and record all long distance swims in the Cape. The constitution laid down the basic rules of the sport which conform with today's international FINA rules. The Cape Long Distance Swimming Association is the only official governing body to officiate over solo swims in Cape Town waters in South Africa, and elsewhere in the country on request.
During the 1970's two races were organised from Fish Hoek to Muizenberg but apart from this, the Association's sole function remained officiating swims.
In the 1980's a group of open water swimmers from the Atlantic seaboard joined the committee and numerous open water events were organised, many continuing on an annual basis until the present. People such as Tony Scalabrino, Eddie and Anthony Cassar, Barry Cutler and Chris Barnard kept the Association growing and six years ago a national body was formed in order to select and take swimmers to the World Championships.
Founding Members[edit]
Founder members were Dennis Pearson, Coenie van Eyssen, Frank Nielsen, John Pagden and Peter Bales, with surfing doyen John Whitmore as President.
Open Water Swimming Career Highlights[edit]
- He swam across the 14.4 km Strait of Gibraltar on 24 September 2004 in 4 hours 0 minutes starting at Ahmiar Point in Spain at the age of 53 to join the Strait of Gibraltar Half Century Club.
- He completed a 19.7 km Rottnest Channel Swim in Western Australia at the age of 56.38 years in 2007.
External Links[edit]
- Cape Long Distance Swimming Association
- Book on Swimming in South Africa
- Theodore Yach Making A Point About The Cape
- An Open Water Swimming Library Favorite
- South African Swimmers Stand Tall For Maura Sanderoff
- Asociación de Cruce a Nado del Estrecho de Gibraltar ACNEG
- Marathon Swimming
- World Open Water Swimming Association
- Open Water Swimming
- Daily News of Open Water Swimming
