The event was very well organised, like all Z Sports events. I can't recommend this company enough - every event of theirs I attend is excellent! Unfortunately due to the weather I did struggle with the finish and, although I completed it OK, there was a moment or 2 where I really needed a lifeguard of some sort to reassure me (who I couldnt see) when the wind came up so strongly near the end, so maybe more visual guidance when the sea was extra choppy would have been good. But all in all I enjoyed the day thoroughly, and I felt that I had successfully met a big personal challenge. I had never swam in such big swell before and I really enjoyed that experience. There were also a lot of nice little touches like the personalised swimming cap numbers and the entrance name announcements that made the day extra special!

This was my experience. Exactly one year ago I decided to do the Bellbuoy. Africa's toughest sea swim. It happened today. I enjoyed every minute and all 5kms of it. I got through the waves by deflating my buoy. My right eye piece filled with water while I was navigating the wave dives. Once I got past the breakers I inflated the buoy and cleared my goggles. From there it was a relaxed pull and glide around the Bellbuoy. The sea was accommodating, warm with huge swells until about 1,5kms remaining, then the offshore westerly started howling. The chin gets tucked in so you can get under the horse's manes. I accidentally swallowed about a teaspoon of sea water throughout the swim, and I thought of it as a thirst quencher. On the way back I had a few cramps, left calf, then right ankle and somewhere along the way two left hamstring cramps. Luckily I could adjust my body and move my mind away from the cramps to my arm motions and swim through the cramps. The last strong high wave close to shore, gave me a powerful push forward and then immediately sucked me back, that gave me a bit of a wobble in my stroke. I glided the next few waves comfortably to shallow waters and then hobbled on semi crampy legs on the stony beach to the finish line. #bokvelart #mystifyenchantment #paulbokvelsmit #bellbuoychallengeportelizabeth #bellbuoype #bellbuoynmb

The weather outlook for a week before the event showed the date should be moved to the Sunday. I feel this decision could have made far earlier in the week. Especially for out of town participants. Pity there was no half way photography like previous years. The safety crew launching kayaks.... Although very comical to watch, I felt was unprofessional. An alternative launch site/ procedure could have been arranged beforehand. Notwithstanding the above... Still enjoyable under the conditions. Thanks.

It was my first Bell Bouyi swim. It was very challenging, but that is why I signed up. It was brilliantly arranged and lived up to the outstanding quality I heard so much about. My only regret is that there was no one at the Bell Bouyi on a boat to take a picture of me when I made that epic turn. I know this would probably be a logistical nightmare , but I would have paid money to have my picture taken making that turn! Thank you for a great event!!

The actually beach entry and exit to the water is covered in small rocks which makes it a hazardous entry / exit which is understandably not the fault of the organisers … however, if each participant moved 10-20 rocks this could have opened up enough for an entry / exit space. This made the race unpleasant. There is also usually a boat at the half way mark that picks up each participant as they go around the Bell Buoy (they shout their number) - which gets immediately uploaded to finish time so that spectators can see when someone has turned at half way … this was not present this year.