The Fish Hoek Mile Swim 2026
Sat 12 Sep 2026 @ Cape Town, Western Cape

The Fish Hoek Mile

The Fish Hoek Mile, proudly presented by Fish Hoek Surf Lifesaving Club serves as an important annual fundraiser for the club. Fish Hoek Surf Lifesaving Club has a proud history of community service as well as competitive surf lifesaving with Fish Hoek Surf being the reigning 2026 South African Lifesaving Club Champions. Fish Hoek Surf serves the local Fish Hoek and surrounding communities through their volunteer based Lifeguard programme as well as providing a very active Nipper programme with over 300 children, aged between 5 and 14 years old, learning the basics of lifesaving, sea skills and beach safety, every week during the Lifesaving Season (October to April).

The Fish Hoek Mile swim dates back to the 1980's and was one of the largest Ocean participation swims in South Africa. After an absence from the Open Water Swimming calendar in the late 2000s The Fish Hoek Mile swim returned in 2023 and has quickly reestablished itself as the biggest Ocean Swim in Cape Town. Whilst the new Fish Hoek Mile enjoys a Spring date with a slightly revised swim route. The Fish Hoek Mile swim has retained many of the original highlights of its predecessor including the beach start and finish, a surf entry and exit, a swim route across Fish Hoek Bay and the Top Lifesaving Club award on the day.

Social Responsibility

Since its reintroduction the Fish Hoek Mile has incorporated a donations drive in support of charities and organisations in the local communities that help to uplift and support those in need.  In 2026 The Fish Hoek Mile will be supporting Happy Valley Home and the Haven Night Shelter. We ask all swimmers and those coming out to support the swimmers and the Fish Hoek Mile to consider donating a hygiene product at the collection point at registration. Just one item such as a toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, deodorant or female hygiene product goes a long way and can make a world of difference to its recipient. We thank you for you support with the swim's donations drive.

Fish Hoek Mile Swim Route

Since the reintroduction of the Mile the original route with its surf entry start at Clovelly and then a swim across Fish Hoek Bay has been followed as part of the swim's long standing tradition and for the integrity of its legacy. Participant safety is at the forefront of all decisions made concerning on the day race organisation and management. With this in mind should weather or environmental conditions on the day not be conducive to a safe swim on the traditional Mile route the route will be changed to an alternate backup route. All decisions will be made in the interests of the safety of all participants and the Organisers further reserve the right to reduce both the route and the distance should need necessitate a change.

Race schedule

7:30am    Registration opens at Fish Hoek Surf Lifesaving Club

8:30am   First General Wave begins the Fish Hoek Mile leaving on intervals of 5 minutes 

10am      Elite Batch Swim Start 

11am      Prizegiving OR 30 minutes after the last finisher

Swimmer information for race day

- THERE ARE NO SUBTISTUTIONS OR ENTRIES ON RACE DAY

- Swimmer registration and check in is at Fish Hoek Surf LIfesaving Club from 7:30am 

- The General batch swim race starts in waves from 8:30am

- First finisher expected at Fish Hoek Surf from 9am

- The Elite batch swim race starts at 10am

- Swimmers may choose to swim in either skins (costume) or wetsuits

- Any changes to swim category i.e. Skins OR Wetsuits must be communicated at swimmer check in on race day. Any change not verified with the Event’s timing team will result in the swimmer's result not being officially recognised

- All swimmers will be marked on both hands with their race number and wave at check in

- All swimmers must wear a brightly coloured swim cap, ONLY PINK, RED, LIGHT GREEN, ORANGE OR YELLOW will be accepted on the day.

- Previous Fish Hoek Mile Champions may wear their Gold Fish Hoek Mile caps on the day

- Tow floats are NOT compulsory on the day but swimmers may choose to use them. Please be sure to hold onto your tow floats through the SURF!

- Swimmers are ONLY permitted to use short fins or flippers and snorkels by prior arrangement in writing via email with the Event Organiser ([email protected])

NOTE: Swimmers Under 12 may enter ONLY IF they hold a Lifesaving South Africa Level 2 Nipper (Under 11 and Under 12) OR can provide results of Ocean Swimming competency.

Swim Categories & Race Rules

The Fish Hoek Mile swim recognises the following categories on race day. Only those that are seeded into the Elite Batch (25 mins and under) according to their provided Mile time and Under 25 mins) will be eligible for the Overall, Open and Lifesaving Club Category Prizes.

Juniors (Male and Female 18 and under on race day)

Open Skins (Male and Female 19 and over on race day)

Open Wetsuits (Male and Female 19 and over on race day)

Lifesaving Club Trophy (the best placed Male and Female Lifesaver from a Lifesaving Club combined will determine the winning club) 

Overall Men            Overall Women

1st    R 1000            1st    R 1000

2nd    R 500             2nd    R 500

3rd    R 300              3rd    R 300

4th    R 200              4th    R 200

5th    R 100              5th    R 100

Only those that are seeded into the Elite Batch (25 mins and under) according to their provided Mile time and Under 25 mins) will be eligible for the Overall, Open and Lifesaving Club Category Prizes.

Skins Category - Swimmers may wear more than one swim cap (no neoprene allowed) and swim costumes may not extend beyond the shoulders onto the arms. Swimskins/Speedsuits are permitted but must not be made of neoprene and may not extend beyond the shoulders.

Wetsuit Category - Swimmers may wear a wetsuit up to 5mm in thickness. Wetsuit swimmers may wear more than one swim cap including a neoprene cap BUT must wear a brightly coloured swim cap over any neoprene cap that is worn. No booties or gloves may be worn!

Note: No refunds will be offered should the swim be adjusted, postponed or cancelled due to factors out of the organiser’s control. All decisions made in this regard will be based upon the safety of the swimmers.

2025 Event Champions - Amica De Jager (Open Women) and Simon Haddon (Open Men)

With special thanks to The Fish Hoek Mile 2026 race partners Ocean Freedom, Maurten, Sailfish, Mad Wave and Button Wear. Official photgraphy provided by John Hishin from Cape Town Sports Photography.

All event enquiries and communication can be directed to the Event Organiser, Scott Tait from Swim Cape Town on 076 156 2619 and [email protected]