Sport is a great de-stresser for busy music agency owner and multi-award winning flautist, Carina Bruwer, who often feels invigorated and refreshed after a swim. But she is no ordinary swimmer; Carina is a champion marathon open water swimmer whose achievements include holding the female record for the fastest Gibraltar Straits crossing, and to date, she is the only swimmer to have rounded both the southern-most and the northern-most tips of Africa.
Looking at her many record-breaking swims, it’s hard to believe that Carina (27) only took up competitive Open Water Swimming in January 2003. While her success is mind-boggling, its not unexpected given the inspiration she gets from defying the odds. While most people are scared of failure, Carina isn’t; in fact, she sees failure as an opportunity to learn more about herself. gsport heard about Carina’s amazing story on SABC 3’s women’s interest program, The Power Within (Saturdays at 11am) a few months ago, and we were moved by her ability to remain so humble and unaffected by the incredible success that has come her way, both musically and as an athlete.
One of her key strengths is she doesn’t actively chase success but is driven by her passion for music, swimming, and business. Her music agency, Five Seasons Music, launched in 2002 with five bands signed, and today represents around 300 bands. Carina thrives in her role as businesswoman, and being a musician herself, is able to act more as an entertainment consultant rather than just an agent.
But for Carina, who has her own band, STERLING EQ, her biggest addiction is her music; playing the flute to appreciative audiences, giving this classically trained musician immense pleasure. Passion resonates all through her life and her ability to put achievements into perspective allows her to celebrate the really important things in her life. Like the fact that she is currently pregnant with her first child, a little girl, due in May next year. Carina admits her pregnancy has given her an added opportunity to embrace her femininity.
It’s evident that success comes to those who live life with enthusiasm, passion, and curiosity. We’re delighted to be featuring a woman of Carina’s calibre, and we hope after reading her story, you feel as inspired to go out and celebrate life.
Introducing gsport’s December Woman, celebrated, multi-award winning flautist and champion marathon open water swimmer, 27-year-old Capetonian Carina Bruwer!
Your life sounds exhilarating and exciting! Take us through your typical day …
I get up around 8AM (I’m NOT an early riser!); and by the time I’ve had a hearty breakfast around 8:30, I’ve usually missed a few phone calls from clients. From then on its business all the way; I run a very busy music agency and am constantly on the phone with clients, musicians, et al.
It gets quite demanding and stressful sometimes, but it’s not too bad. I usually “escape” from the office around lunchtime to go for a much needed swim. I then return to the office, invigorated and refreshed! Often I need to leave for an evening performance with my band, STERLING EQ late-afternoon, which keeps me busy most of the evening. What are your current projects?
Well, my business has really grown very fast the past year or so, so at the moment my priority is to further streamline it. Finding the right staff is the secret, and I do have fantastic people working for me, but I need more, in order to have a bit more time for myself. I’m also expecting my first child (little girl!) in May next year, which will be a major challenge in itself!
Music has been a part of your life since school. What do you love most about being a flautist?
Doing what I love, i.e. making music, and getting paid for it! Having the business puts me in the fortunate position of being able to select the type of bookings I take; i.e. I don’t have to do absolutely everything that comes my way because I need the money. I prefer playing at big, exciting events and concerts; when I was younger I used to play lots of background music events, which weren’t that enjoyable to me; so now I avoid these.
I love the creative freedom you have as a musician. I am a classically trained musician, but I do play all styles – Jazz, Latin, Classical crossover; anything goes! I LOVE performing; the energy exchange between performer and audience is something that always puts me on a “high”.
Tell us more about your music agency Five Seasons Music and what prompted you to launch it?
Well, when I received my degree (BMus Hons) in 2002, I was faced with the question: NO WHAT? It’s not really a degree which takes you straight into a job. The options, basically are either looking for a teaching job, or trying to get into one of the 3 orchestras in the country. I wasn’t particularly keen on either, so I had to start thinking creatively. As a student (and even when I was still at school), I had been performing (on my own, or as part of a small group) at weddings and functions, which brought in reasonable money. I decided to start marketing my groups, in order to get more such jobs.
Soon I saw a small “gap” in the market, as other musicians were approaching me for help with their marketing. I gradually added musicians and bands to my “books”, and my client base increased on healthily.
I still played a lot, and got first hand experience of all different kinds of events – corporate functions, private parties, festivals, weddings, expos, etc. My roster grew from about 5 bands in 2002, to around 300 in 2007, covering all style genres!
I know all of my artists and really understand what they are about, and I love being able to assist clients in choosing the most suitable entertainment options for their events; i.e. acting as entertainment consultant more than just agent.
Having concentrated on music and other cultural activities, what prompted you to focus on sport during your first year of University?
Well I went into University never really having actively participated in any sport in my life! I’ve always enjoyed swimming, and could do it quite naturally, but I was always too involved in the cultural activities at school, really to have much time for sport.
I wasn’t always sure about studying music – I had a quite a few other interests including law, mathematics, accounting, etc. So, when deciding on music as a career, I also decided that I must make an effort to have a more balanced lifestyle than the typical musician.
Exercise didn’t really cross my mind in the beginning, but after going for a social swim with a friend, in which I “dared” myself to swim 10 laps without stopping, and managed to do it!; I thought this was something I could try! I got going; swimming a bit more each day.
From doing about 20 laps a day, 4 times a week, 3 months later I was doing 2km (80 laps) a day, 5 times a week. A year down the line I was completely obsessed and addicted, and doing 4-5km, 6 or 7 days a week. Talk to us about the open water swimming. How did you get into it and what drives you to achieve the amazing feats you have? I only found it by default! People who saw me training at the pool, kept on asking whether I was a professional swimmer or a triathlete, which I found highly amusing as I still saw myself as a musician who went for a little swim now and again..
I made a new friend at the pool, who insisted I somehow used my “talent”. I argued that I’m not a sprinter; the only thing that makes me special was that I could swim for hours without stop. He then recommended looking into long distance swimming – something I didn’t even know existed! I did some research on the internet, and found a 12km race from Simonstown to Muizenberg! I tried to forget about it, but the challenge was just too tempting, and I entered!
My family and music buddies thought I’d gone mad; but I had to do it. I’d never swum further than 6km in my life, and to be honest I was terrified of sharks and cold water, but nothing would stop me. I did the race, managed to win the female race and finish quite well overall, and I was hooked. It was such an amazing experience being out in the open ocean; doing what I love; I had to do it again, and again….
At this race, I met all the members of the Cape Long distance Swimming Association (CLDSA), who encouraged and advised me, and soon I was planning crossing from Robben Island to Cape Town, etc. etc. I then decided I wanted to do the “big one”, the English Channel. It is a very expensive swim, so I needed to raise my profile to somehow find some sponsorship. This is when I started looking at unique and more challenging swims; and I swam around Cape Point and Cape Agulhas, becoming the first South African to do so. I also became the first person to round Danger Point in Gansbaai, and Ras Angela (northern most point of Africa in Tunisia).
I love being the first to do something; it is always a huge challenge because of the unknown, and it also usually prompts other swimmers to take up the challenge.
How do you deal with failure in the water to ensure it doesn’t detract you from your goals?
I don’t really think in terms of failure. Yes I love breaking a record and feeling the sense of achievement from finishing a challenging swim, but I must say the opposite is not true for me. I’ve had to give up on a swim once (when I attempted crossing Flase Bay the first time in 2005, and got hypothermia halfway through), and often didn’t get a record I was aiming for.
I don’t see this as failure though; I enjoy every minute I spend in the ocean, and if, for some reason, I do not do as well as I would have wanted to, it’s not a train smash. There is usually a lesson to learn re myself, the conditions, etc.
What is the biggest danger you face as an open water swimmer, and what goes through your mind on those long record-breaking swims?
I guess SHARKS are up there when one thinks about the dangers J. It is a very real issue, especially when swimming in South African waters, but it is one I’ve made peace with long ago; they are there, and I’m in their domain. An attack is quite unlikely, but if something does happen, I accept it as part of the risk that I do take. A bigger real danger for me is hypothermia.
Ironically, I really do not enjoy being cold, but unfortunately in Cape Town this is also something you need to accept as part of the sport – you WILL get cold! There are “degrees of cold” though; after a 3 hour swim in 14 degree water, I will shiver and feel cold, but after 5 hours in 13 degree water, I will be in serious danger.
The thing about hypothermia is that you wouldn’t actually realise when you have it. When your body temperature drops to a really dangerous, hypothermic level, you actually become happy and euphoric; and you don’t feel cold any more! This is very dangerous, as the next step is losing consciousness, and if you do not get treatment, it can become very serious.
This is what happened to me during my first False Bay crossing attempt – I was very cold for most of the swim, and all I can remember is that I suddenly started feeling quite comfortable and happy; while my support crew was telling me to get out. I couldn’t really make out much of what they were saying, and just continued swimming; although on the video afterwards I could see that this “swimming” was highly suspect; I was going nowhere and looking very bad. Next thing I remember is waking up in the boat, with everyone very concerned…
Talk us through your goal of attempting and succeeding in crossing False Bay? What did it mean to you when you finally achieved the feat?
I think because I failed the first time, I was much more focused on succeeding in this swim than in any other swim I’ve attempted. It is considered one of the most challenging crossings in the world, due to the unpredictable weather, and the ever present danger of sharks. From the more than 20 people who have tried, only 2 swimmers had succeeded before me.
The reasons for the many failures ranged from unsuitable conditions to fatigue, to simply fear – a couple of swimmers are known to have given up early in the swim, in perfect conditions, just because they couldn’t take the anguish of swimming in these shark infested waters. I felt this while swimming; it is a scary swim and one has to control your mind very carefully, just to stay in! I did have a few “moments” in there; like when my support boat lost its GPS signal, and we realised that we had been going in the wrong direction for about an hour, I really felt like just getting out and going for coffee – much more comfortable!
I kept going though, and although it remained the scariest swim I’ve ever done, it did become easier; and the final few hours were heavenly. I felt so good; I managed to speed up quite a bit, and I realised I was going to finish the most important attempt of my life. When I finally felt the earth under my feat, I actually cried of elation, relief and happiness. Nothing could ruin that moment!
How do you find time to excel in music and sport at the same time?
It is a challenge sometimes (to say the least!, but I do manage to fit everything in.) I just take it in my stride. To me it’s not really about excelling – it’s just about doing it; doing what I love. I just HAVE to find time for it because I need it in order to feel complete. Considering your many achievements in open water swimming and music, which highlights stand out for you? Well, False Bay was definitely the highlight of my swimming career; since achieving this crossing I haven’t managed to find another swim that matches its challenge, the excitement and the sense of achievement. Crossing the English Channel (which I did in 2005, before False Bay) was also amazing; I really didn’t believe that I could do it, so finishing the swim was a big personal victory for me.
It’s difficult for me to discuss “achievement” in music, as it is such an esoteric thing. I believe that Art should not be competitive, and that one’s artistic ambition is something very personal. I feel artistic fulfilment each time I manage to communicate through my music; whether it is on stage during a big concert, or at a small corporate event where I feel someone is really appreciating my/ our musical energy.
You can feel the appreciation from your audience, which is something I really love and actually find a bit addictive! Also, generating a lot of work for myself and my various bands in a country which is perceived to be “behind” in terms of arts and culture, is quite rewarding.
What other sports do you enjoy?
I must admit swimming is pretty much the only sport I’m good at! I enjoy cycling and used to do quite a bit of it, but at the moment I really don’t have time. Otherwise, I enjoy watching tennis, cricket and gymnastics!
Who are your favourite sports stars and why?
Venus and Serena Williams – I just love their attitude.
Ryk Neethling – let’s face it, he is fast and beautiful 🙂
How do you relax?
Swimming is my relaxation! Really, when I’m stressed out, the best thing for me is to go for a quick swim – it fixes everything.
What do you enjoy most about your life?
Having the freedom to do what I love (music, swimming and business), and not being bothered by other people’s perceptions and expectations. I don’t allow myself to be forced into situations in which I feel uncomfortable. It is very important to me to remain true to myself in whatever I do, and I really appreciate being able to do that.
gsport strives to celebrate femininity. What role does femininity play in your life?
I love being a woman! I am a very independent woman and do not plan on ever playing second fiddle to any man in my fields of business, sport and music. That being said, I have no problem waiting for a man to change my tire, carry equipment, etc; the female body was just not designed for certain things.
I am however not a typical female; I don’t cook – my partner does most of the cooking. I’m very business orientated and not very domesticated; and I’m quite competitive in certain aspects (if someone – especially a guy – takes me on in the pool, I will do my UTMOST to beat him.
If all else fails, at least I always swim further!). Being pregnant has definitely enhanced my sense of femininity; it feels amazing to have another human being growing inside you – it is something incredibly special which in itself needs to be celebrated!
Who are your role models?
My domestic worker, Beauty. She is one of the hardest workers I know. She has loads of integrity and pride. Never complains about her work or her circumstances. She is incredibly intelligent, but I guess circumstances have prevented her from doing all she would have wanted. She has 3 children to support on her own; her husband was killed years ago. I have never heard her complain; she only has positive things to say.
What inspires you?
Integrity, hard work, defying the odds.
What is your message to women who are struggling to find their passion in life?
It’s probably right there in front of you. A “passion” doesn’t have to be something “great” like curbing world hunger, being a champion athlete or a famous personality; your passion would be whatever you love doing, whether it is jumping out of airplanes or baking rusks. gsport’s theme this December is CELEBRATION. How important is it for one to celebrate one’s achievements?
Sure, I believe that one needs to acknowledge one’s achievements, but not indulge in it. “Indulging” would often result in arrogance, which defeats the purpose. Also, “achievement” needs to be well-defined. The general perception of achievement being synonymous with “victory”, is in my view not apt.
Simply defying your own odds is an achievement. This doesn’t have to mean crossing the English Channel; someone who goes into the ocean after a lifetime of fear of water, has achieved something great!
Leaving an abusive relationship, or an un-stimulating job, after many years of being “trapped”, is an achievement. The list goes on. These things certainly need to be celebrated, in my opinion more so than any public successes / “achievements”
What is your greatest ambition?
To remain true to myself and independent, and to keep doing what I love. And to be able to keep taking from the world what I enjoy, and somehow guarding myself and those I love from the negative aspects. I’m sure keeping aiming towards this will automatically lead to more interesting swims and musical exploits!
All Photos: Supplied
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