WTF Swims

30/09/2025

Our photographer Ariff Budiman Abdul Halim is currently sailing with the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) on a mission to break the blockade on Gaza. Our prayers is for the safety and well-being of all those on board and that the mission will succeed in opening a humanitarian corridor to the enclave.

SNCC, Gaza, Global Sumud Flotilla, GSF, red zone,

14/08/2025

American Jessica Kieras has set a new English Channel course record for backstroke in the women’s category. She finished the epic swim in 11hr 26min (unratified). Massive congratulations! Only the second female and fifth person to ever complete a backstroke swim of the English Channel.

13/06/2025

It will take 15 hours and he will have to dig deep to get through it but former clearance diver Ashley Semmens says he has got what it takes to swim the channel backwards.

02/06/2025

NIGHT BACKSTROKE SWIM TO PULAU RHU (2.5km)
Swimmer: Ridzwan Rahim
Kayaker: Mohd Hafizuddin Amlin (Pie)

NIGHT swimming shenanigans. We got to do a fun experiment over the weekend—by swimming 2.5km from mainland to Pulau Rhu (Rhu Island), using only backstroke.

The exercise had dual purposes:
1. To see how far we could swim backstroke in open water.
2. To try using stars to navigate and register a straight GPS track.

Unfortunately the sky wasn’t clear last night, and our swimmer had to rely on the kayaker for navigation.

Nevertheless, we had good weather. The sea was calm and the air, still.

It was low tide. We had to walk quite a distance to get to deeper water.

That probably confused our Apple Watch and it registered the walk as 86m freestyle swim.

Once in deeper water, Ridzwan turned onto his back and swam nonstop towards the island, pausing a few times along the way to clear his throat.

The swim took 1hr 15min. Typically, we take an hour swimming freestyle to reach Pulau Rhu.

After a short break for refreshments, we swam back to the mainland using freestyle technique.

So now we know long distance backstroke swimming in the open water is perfectly doable, although one may get sore throat from ingesting seawater.

We hope to repeat this night backstroke experiment with clear sky.

31/05/2025

WTF Swims was in Cape Town January this year to do this swim. Thank you Big Bay Events for the excellent support. Perhaps next time we will take the photography package. Table Mountain looks majestic.

Island Escape

If you are a novice swimmer looking to complete a Robben Island Crossing then our Island Escape package is perfect for you to achieve your goal

Starting requirement is to be able to comfortably swim 1.6km and we’ll get you ready for your EPIC swim

Package includes:-
🔹12 week training program
🔹WhatsApp support group with tips
🔹Speedo discount voucher
🔹Branded swim cap
🔹Branded towel
🔹Personalised medal
🔹Encouragement from passionate crew
🔹Beach recovery and hot chocolate
🔹Electronic certificate of completion
🔹Professional photographer on board

Training program guides you through distances that should be completed weekly including both pool and open water

WhatsApp group provides a weekly training schedule, constant motivation, tips on nutrition and interactive guidance and support all the way to your confirmed swim date. We also arrange a zoom meeting 2 days prior to your swim date for any additional questions or concerns you may have

You are paired up with a swim partner of similar pace so you are not alone and the Group launches from Oceana Powerboat Club

Boats all run in a line so you have the option of moving forward or dropping back depending on how you feel on swim day

We have got you covered with experienced and knowledgeable crew and supporting 1st time swimmers across is always a magical experience for us

Beach support ensures that you are fully recovered from your cold water swim with blankets, hot water bottles and warm hot chocolate in our sheltered recovery area

Island Escape runs from October - May
Entries opening soon for our new season but if you want to be notified when entries open then drop us a message

25/03/2025

Off-season shenanigans. Our first ever swim test in the wildly chaotic swells of Kem Damai Besut during monsoon season. Great fun! Video is in Bahasa and Kelantanese.

12/01/2025

03/01/2025

Happy new year 2025! WTF Swims is in Cape Town, South Africa now for a Robben Island swim crossing (7.5km). This is Big Bay where the swim will end. You can see Table Mountain in the background. Water temperature today is 16°C. Our swimmer Ridzwan Rahim will be swimming with 5 others, the only Malaysian in the group.

17/11/2024

DOWNUNDER DUO SWIM 2024
[Pending ratification] On September 25, 2024, Arno Tan and Nicholas Robertson became the first persons in history to swim the Perhentian Channel in the direction of mainland to island. 📸 Ariff Budiman

Start location: Kem Damai Besut
Start time: 0200hr
End location: Perhentian Chomel Chalet
End time: 0911hr
Swim duration: 7hr 11min 28sec
Swim format: Tandem solo

15/11/2024

Thank you The Star and writer Ming Teoh for this comprehensive coverage of the birth of WTF Swims. With our experience in the waters of Terengganu, we can now support other swimmers who want to attempt these wonderful marathon swims.

Malaysian marathon swimmer who has pioneered four channel swim routes connecting the Terengganu mainland with the islands of Perhentian, Lang Tengah and Redang, aims to help other swimmers take on similar challenges in the country.