Celebrated open-water swimmer John Flanigan dies at 80, weeks after historic achievement

JOHN Flanigan, who made history last month as the oldest man to complete the Robben Island to Blouberg swim, has died aged 80 while kayaking off Bloubergstrand.

The South African swimming community pays tribute to this legendary open-water swimmer.

Last month, Flanigan made history as the oldest man to complete the iconic 7.5km Robben Island to Blouberg swim, a feat that earned him widespread recognition within South Africa’s open-water swimming community.

According to the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), Flanigan was found unresponsive by fellow swimmers and a Good Samaritan on a stand-up paddleboard before NSRI rescue crews arrived.

"The NSRI craft reached the SUP, and the swimmers where NSRI took the casualty on board the NSRI rescue craft, initiating CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) efforts. The rescue craft came ashore at Small Bay, Bloubergstrand, where NSRI medics continued with CPR and were joined on the scene by paramedics," NSRI said.

"Despite extensive CPR efforts, after all efforts to resuscitate the man were exhausted, sadly, he was declared deceased by paramedics. The SA Police Services attended the scene where the body of the man was taken into the care of the Police and Government Health Forensic Pathology Services.

NSRI added that Flanigan had been paddling out to greet a group of swimmers during his usual morning session. The cause of the incident is under investigation.

"It appears that local well-known and highly respected 80-year-old John Flanigan was paddling on his sea-kayak, offshore of Blouberg Beach, and the causes of the incident are under investigation/

"In circumstances still being determined, John was assisted by a SUP paddle boarder and by a group of swimmers that he had reportedly paddled out to greet on Saturday morning, during their regular morning swim and during his regular morning paddle on his sea-kayak."

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