South African swimmer completes historic two-way relay across Lake Geneva for good cause

SOUTH African-born François Bonnici and five teammates have made history by becoming the first to complete a two-way relay swim across Lake Geneva, covering 144 kilometres in just over 50 hours, to raise funds for water safety in South Africa and Switzerland.

- STAFF REPORTER

Together, the six swimmers - Bonnici, Alex Seeger (Germany), Dóra Sári (Hungary), Katie Glass (Canada), Kate Norton (UK), and Jonny Singh (UK) - not only conquered the lake but also exceeded their fundraising goal of CHF 10 000 (about R220 000). Half of the money went to the NSRI, and half to Swiss organisations working in drowning prevention.

“The first leg was glorious - sunshine and calm water. But on the way back, the lake showed its teeth,” Bonnici said.