Youngest female long-distance swimmer makes history.

Leonie Pretorius

14 April 2016

A 12-year-old girl has become the youngest female long-distance swimmer ever to complete the swim from Robben Island to Bloubergstrand in Cape Town.

Enya van Niekerk swam 7.3km last week in 14°C water.

 Swimming with her father, Leon, it took her three hours and 14 minutes to complete.

 The first Robben Island swim was recorded in 1903 when Henry Charteris Hooper swam from the island to Cape Town Harbour.

 He managed to complete the swim in just under seven hours.

Since then, more than 500 people have completed the swim including Olympian Natalie du Toit, who holds the record for the fastest female swimmer in a time of 1 hour, 35 minutes and 45 seconds.

 Enya says two of her friends inspired her to take on the challenge.