All donations go to support the Ubunye Challenge Cup.
$50,276.00 raised
Width of Issyk Kul swim - Kyrgyzstan
About sixteen years ago, Cameron first visited Issyk Kul—before he had even learned to swim. He had hiked from Almaty in Kazakhstan across the Tian Shan mountains and was immediately captivated by the beauty of Kyrgyzstan and its vast alpine lake. The deep blue water, framed by snowcapped peaks, left him with a lasting sense of wonder and a promise to return. Six years ago, Cameron began planning to swim the lake, but the pandemic put those plans on hold. Now, he is finally set to attempt the crossing: a 60 km unassisted swim from Bosteri to Kaji-Say. Without a wetsuit, and without any contact with the support boat or crew, the swim will take between 20 and 24 hours. It will push Cameron to his limits against the dramatic backdrop of one of the world’s most ancient lakes—Issyk Kul, the world’s second-largest alpine lake, known locally as the "Pearl of Central Asia."
Where your money is going to
08/20/2025
Cameron’s 60 km swim across Lake Issyk Kul is raising funds for the Ubunye Challenge Cup, an initiative bringing extracurricular opportunities to 15 rural schools in South Africa’s Eastern Cape.
These schools currently have almost no access to sport, art, or debate — the very activities that shape confidence, teamwork, and creativity in young people. Funds raised through this swim will:
These schools currently have almost no access to sport, art, or debate — the very activities that shape confidence, teamwork, and creativity in young people. Funds raised through this swim will:
- Equip schools with sports gear, instruments, and art supplies.
- Train local coaches and mentors to guide students.
- Provide transport so isolated schools can come together to compete for the Ubunye Challenge Cup — a first-of-its-kind festival of sport, art, and debate.