Swimming for recovery: local duo tackles Robben Island challenge to support addiction treatment

CapeTalk’s Sara-Jayne Makwala King is joined on Weekend Breakfast by Elton Splinter, Volunteer Fundraiser and Addiction Counsellor for Freeway Recovery Centre and Greg Koopman Founder of Little Gladiators Swimming School.

As Recovery Month comes to a close, two local swimmers are embarking on an ambitious challenge to support those struggling with the disease of addiction.

Greg Koopman, founder of Little Gladiators Swimming School, and swim instructor Cindy Masters will take on the iconic open-water swim from Robben Island to Blouberg.

But this is more than just a personal milestone for the pair.

Their swim is a deeply meaningful effort to raise awareness and funds for the Freeway Recovery Centre in Retreat.

Addiction counsellor Elton Splinter explains how the funds raised will help the facility:

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"Due to the nature of addiction, the people we are helping are often in need of clothing, toiletries, stationary which we are only able to provide with the ongoing generous support of our donors."

- Elton Splinter, Volunteer Fundraiser and Addiction Counsellor - Freeway Recovery Centre

Freeway is an organisation dedicated to helping men from disadvantaged backgrounds who are battling substance use, access life-changing treatment.

"We're currently building a skills development centre, with the help of our donors to help people reintegrate into society with dignity."

- Elton Splinter, Volunteer Fundraiser and Addiction Counsellor - Freeway Recovery Centre

With the high cost of rehab often out of reach for many families, Splinter explains that Freeway Recovery Centre offers hope through reduced-rate programmes.

Freeway is able to offer a three month treatment programme at a significantly lower cost.

"Privatised treatment ranges between R50-80 000 per month, it's astronomical...for Freeway we are able to do this at about R9000 per month.

- Elton Splinter, Volunteer Fundraiser and Addiction Counsellor - Freeway Recovery Centre

Next month Greg Koopman and Cindy Masters will brave the icy waters off Robben Island to raise money for the centre.

"Training has been coming on since May, I started with cold water plunging in Sea Point - water temperatures are about 9 degrees!"

- Greg Koopman, Founder - Little Gladiators Swimming School

"The body goes numb, but the mind is extremley powerful. We train 5 days a week - strength training and then open water swimming."

- Greg Koopman, Founder - Little Gladiators Swimming School

To support Greg and Cindy click here to donate to the BackABuddy campaign.

Find out more about the work of Freeway Recovery Centre by scrolling up to the audio player above.

ALSO READ: From the streets to sobriety - a recovering Cape Town addict's incredible journey