"Don't EVER Let Me Swim That Distance Again!"
Celebrating Yolanda Carstens: Conquering "The Elephant" and Shaping Swim Smooth’s Future
Quick Update on the GURU - landing in just 60 minutes!
Hey Swimmers,
We know many of you have been eagerly awaiting the latest update to the Swim Smooth GURU, and we’re excited to share that it will be live in just a matter of hours! Keep an eye on your email for all the links and directions to access the update. We were delayed by verifications with Garmin in the EU, but that has all cleared, so launch time to celebrate our 20th anniversary is now imminent!
This new release will see us supporting 90+ Garmin devices with our patented Stroke Insights technology. This cutting-edge feature not only shows you exactly what you’re doing in the water with your technique but also guides you on how to improve it and seamlessly integrate it into a training plan tailored to your goals.
It’s the same type of structured training plan that delivered such a successful swim for today’s blog focus: Yolanda Carstens, who just completed The Elephant 24km swim. Yolanda has also been instrumental behind the scenes, building the brand-new Swim Smooth website that launched yesterday. Her expertise in the digital world matches her achievements in the water, and we can’t wait for you to experience both the GURU update and the new website!
Stay tuned and get ready to elevate your swimming like never before! 🚀
"Don't EVER Let Me Swim That Distance Again!"
At Swim Smooth, we’re no strangers to incredible achievements in the water. But when one of our own dives in and takes on something truly monumental, it’s cause for celebration! Yesterday, Yolanda Carstens, our talented web designer and long-time Swim Smooth team member, achieved an extraordinary feat by completing The Elephant—a 24km swim in South Africa’s stunning yet challenging Langebaan Lagoon.
Known officially as the "Double Langebaan Express," this swim is part of the prestigious Big 5 open water challenges of South Africa:
The Leopard – Cape Point (8km)
The Cape Buffalo – Dassen Island (11km)
The Rhino – RI West Coast Angle (18km)
The Elephant – Double Langebaan Express (24km)
The African Lion – False Bay Crossing (33km)
For Yolanda, completing The Elephant was not just a triumph but a significant milestone—one that places her among an elite group of only five women who have ever completed this swim. To make it even more impressive, Yolanda’s time will officially rank third fastest on record for women, a testament to her grit, endurance, and exceptional preparation.
A Long Day at the Office
Before the swim, Yolanda admitted, “Sh1tt1ng myself! 😆”, capturing both the nerves and the humour of a swimmer about to tackle a monumental challenge.
Reassuring her, I said,
"You'll be okay... just prepare yourself for a long day at the office.
Take it in your stride.
No pressure.
Just a long swim.
Embrace the opportunity but no need to smash yourself either."
And that’s exactly what she did. Despite the tough conditions, Yolanda powered through with determination and grace, even quipping at the finish line, "Don’t let me EVER DO THIS distance again!"
Overcoming Nature’s Obstacles
Langebaan Lagoon is as beautiful as it is demanding. Yesterday’s swim was a battle of endurance, mental grit, and sheer determination. The challenges included:
Windy and choppy conditions: Cape Town’s notorious winds added complexity to Yolanda’s swim, though she powered through with grace.
Cold water temperatures: While typically hovering between 9-13°C, the water was a relatively balmy 16-18°C—still cold by any measure but ideal for such an effort.
Seal colonies: Passing Skaap Island twice meant swimming close to seal colonies, a tense moment given the recent issues with rabid seals attacking swimmers. Yolanda handled it all with the poise of a seasoned open water swimmer.
And while the first 12km benefited from a tide assist, the team missed the tide on the return leg, turning the final stretch into a test of true grit. Yolanda shared that the carefully planned course close to the island helped shorten the distance—critical as she approached her limits after hours in the water.
Making History and Breaking Barriers
To complete The Elephant is a remarkable achievement, but to rank among the fastest swimmers to ever conquer this distance is extraordinary. Yolanda’s name will now appear alongside South Africa’s top open water swimmers in the official records, a proud moment for both her and everyone who knows her.
This accomplishment reflects not just Yolanda’s physical strength but her unyielding mental toughness—a quality she brings to every aspect of her life, including her work with Swim Smooth.
Behind the Screens and In the Water
While Yolanda’s swimming achievement is awe-inspiring, her contributions to Swim Smooth are equally noteworthy. Over the last six months, she’s been the driving force behind our brand-new website, pouring her heart and expertise into creating a digital hub that serves our global swimming community. Her efforts have transformed how we share our coaching methods, connect with swimmers, and grow our reach. If you haven’t yet, take a moment to explore her incredible work here:
"My Technique Felt Amazing!"
Yolanda described how strong and efficient she felt during the swim, exclaiming, “My technique felt amazing!” Her performance data backs this up, showcasing some excellent Stroke Insights from her Apple Watch.
With Swim Smooth’s patented metrics, her scores reflect the hallmark characteristics of her Swim Type—a Smooth. This elite Swim Type thrives on long, graceful strokes, a naturally rhythmic stroke rate, and outstanding efficiency, all of which Yolanda exemplified during her 24km achievement.
In preparation for The Elephant, Yolanda had been meticulously tracking her fitness using the Swim Smooth GURU. Over the months, her consistent training saw her Fitness Points climb to an impressive 73—a notably high score, especially for an open water event of this magnitude. Achieving such a score is exceptional at any age, but even more so as Yolanda celebrates her 60th year (she won’t mind us mentioning this milestone, we hope!).
However, with greatness comes the need for balance. The GURU is now flagging “Over Training”, reminding Yolanda (and all of us!) of the importance of recovery after such a demanding effort. As much as we’d love to see her back in action soon, it’s crucial to take the time to rest and let the body recover fully—especially after conquering The Elephant!
Yolanda: A True Inspiration
Whether in the water or behind the scenes at Swim Smooth, Yolanda’s achievements inspire us all. Her remarkable combination of mental fortitude, exceptional technique, and dedication to preparation is a masterclass in what can be achieved with the right tools, mindset, and community support.
For anyone looking to reach new heights in their swimming journey, Yolanda’s story serves as a shining example of what’s possible. And for those not yet tracking their training and performance with the Swim Smooth GURU, now might be the time to explore the powerful features that helped Yolanda reach this incredible milestone!
Congratulations again, Yolanda—you’re truly one of a kind! 🏊♀️✨