Sea You There! An Auto-ethnographic Study of Open-water Swimming in Cape Town

Abstract

Through an autoethnography of open-water swimming in the oceans of Cape Town, I investigate the symbolic value that the water holds for a niche group of swimmers. Open-water swimming has become a phenomenon worldwide, but it takes on a particular flavor in Cape Town. Through this embodied practice, I interrogate how a small group of swimmers build community in search of solitude, individual therapy, and meaning. While I reflect on my embodied experiences of being in the water, my presence in the water opens up unique opportunities to engage with others in search of the shared symbolic value placed on water. In doing so, I argue that the practice of open-water swimming becomes an enabling place, promising escape from everyday life. Open water swimming also becomes a ritualized activity, with the water taking on significant symbolic meaning and a unique experience where swimmers share a sense of escapism, awe, and a shared sense of belonging.