Dina Levačić aims to be first Croatian to do iconic Robben Island swim in South Africa
- by croatiaweek
- in Sport
(Photo credit: Dina Levacic/Private album)
Dina Levačić, the record-setting 27-year-old long distance Croatian swimmer, is now gearing up for a new adventure.
Her next challenge takes her to the shores of South Africa, where she hopes to become the first ever person from Croatia to complete the iconic Robben Island swim.
This island holds deep historical significance as the place where Nelson Mandela was famously imprisoned. Despite its relatively short distance, 11km between the island and Cape Town, the swim is arduous due to the frigid temperatures of the Atlantic Ocean, which can plummet to as low as 10 degrees Celsius.
(Photo credit: Dina Levacic/Facebook)
Dina hopes for temperatures between 13-15 degrees Celsius, which would make the task more manageable.
Conditions permitting, Dina will also face two more demanding crossings on her trip.
Dina will tackle False Bay, a 33-kilometre stretch in the warmer waters of the Indian Ocean. However, the perpetual winds pose a significant challenge, with speeds ranging from under 20 km/h to stronger gusts, requiring swimmers to navigate for about eight to eleven hours.
The final leg consists of Cap Point and Cape of Good Hope, totalling around ten kilometres. The area’s unpredictable weather and strong currents make swimming feasible only a few days a year.
(Photo: Private album)
Including Cape of Good Hope, the distance extends to about eleven kilometres, subject to the whims of the ocean currents and winds.
Dina’s journey kicks off on Sunday, with her return scheduled for February 25th, contingent upon weather conditions. An interesting detour awaits her on the way back, as she plans to briefly stop in Doha, Qatar, for the World Masters Swimming Championship.
Upon her return to Croatia, Dina will embark on another ambitious project titled “104 Dalmatians.” Her goal is to swim around 104 officially registered islands, islets, and rocks across the four Dalmatian counties from May to October.
It’s a testament to her enduring passion for swimming and her determination to conquer new challenges.
(Photo: Private album)
Dina’s story is one of courage, perseverance, and a relentless pursuit of her passion for swimming. As she sets her sights on South African waters and beyond, she continues to inspire with her unwavering dedication to her sport and her adventurous spirit.
