South Africa’s swimming community has been left grieving the tragic loss of legendary open-water swimmer John Flanigan. Well known and highly respected in the community, local resident John Flanigan, 80, has died following an incident at sea offshore South of On-the-Rocks, Bloubergstrand, on his sea-kayak. Just weeks ago, Flanigan made headlines after he wrapped up his 4-hour-30 -minute swim from Robben Island to Big By and received an overwhelming support.
On Saturday, the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) announced Flanigan’s passing. Rowan Marais, NSRI Melkbosstrand station commander, explained that Flanigan’s sea-kayak had capsized. “At 07h45, Saturday, January 31, NSRI Melkbosstrand duty crew were activated following eyewitness reports of a sea-kayak unmanned – appearing to be capsized – in the vicinity offshore South of On-the-Rocks, Bloubergstrand,” he said.
“West Coast community coast watchers were alerted and assisted to get visuals. “NSRI rescue swimmers responded to the scene while our NSRI duty crew responded to our NSRI Melkbosstrand station 18 rescue base and dispatched our NSRI rescue vehicle towing our NSRI rescue craft JetRIB which was launched at Small Bay, Bloubergstrand.
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