My name is Philip Emslie and I am a devoted husband, father and passionate Open Water swimmer from Cape Town, South Africa. This blog is to share my love of the water and my swimming adventures, as I strive to be the best that I can be, in and out the water.

As a Junior swimmer, I was the South African 400m Freestyle Junior Nationals Champion, as well as the South African Junior Aquathon Champion. I am currently South African Masters Swimming short (25m) and long (50m) course 800m and 1500m freestyle record holder, 25 to 29 years age group. After having competed mostly in the pool, I raced as a semi-professional triathlon team swimmer from 2002 to 2008 and represented and captained the Western Province and Maties (University of Stellenbosch) swimming teams.

Cold water distance swimming has become a new focus, with recent achievements including taking part in the Cadiz Freedom Swim for the first time in 2011, was the 1st Male South African finisher and 3rd Male overall. In 2011 I won the Cadiz Youth Day swim 2 mile race, the Cadiz Women’s Day 4km relay swim, the Cadiz Heritage Day 5km solo swim, as well as the 2011 Pearly’s Around the Island 3km swim in Langebaan. Upon completion of the One Mile Speedo Ice Swim Africa (Water temperature below 5 deg C) at Nuwedam in Fraserburg, July 2011, I became a member of the International Ice Swimming Association. I also compete annually in the Brian Curtis Mile and 3km Swims.

I represent Vineyard Swimming Club, based in Rondebosch, coached by Brendon Pienaar. For Masters Events, the Cape Town Masters Swimming Club.

Follow me on twitter: @philswim.

Visit my page on Openwaterpedia: Philip Emslie