08/08/2026
This past weekend, Boating World's co-owner Derrick Levy took on one of the most brutal challenges in open water swimming: the IISA South African National Ice Swimming Championships, recognised as one of the highest-altitude ice swimming events in the world, held over 3,000 metres up in the Maluti Mountains at Afriski, Lesotho.
The Challenge:
๐ฅถ Water temperature: 2.2ยฐC
๐กAir temperature: 5ยฐC
โฐ๏ธ Altitude: 3,000m+ (every breath counts)
๐ Swim distances: 50m AND 100m
๐ฉณ Standard gear: swimsuit, silicone cap, goggles (the IISA rules demand nothing more)
For most people, that combination alone would be reason enough to stay on the couch. For Derrick, getting through both swims was just the latest chapter in a lifetime of testing limits on the water. Just under eight months ago he completed the legendary Robben Island swim, one of the coldest, most unforgiving open water crossings in the world.
Derrick has spent his life chasing new limits. A triple Springbok water sportsman, he's represented South Africa internationally in water-ski racing, winning the Italian Grand Prix on Lake Como, and still holds the non-stop 500km water ski racing record. Add barefoot skiing and boat racing colours for South Africa to that list, and you start to understand: he's not a man who chases one big moment, he's spent his life pursuing feats that few would ever attempt.
Congratulations, Derrick, you continue to inspire everyone at Boating World, and everyone who thinks they've found their limit.
Afriski Mountain Resort
