In April, 2019, I decided I wanted to swim the Channel, though I probably didn't realise at that time quite what I would be getting myself in for.
Eight months later, everything is now lined up: I'm registered with the Channel Swimming Association; I've booked in with Fred and Harry Mardle aboard Masterpiece (the pilot boat that will escort me across); and if all goes well I will be setting out for France in the tide window August 25th - September 1st this summer. Most importantly, training is underway and I'm steadily working up the distance.
I still have a lot to learn about the challenges of this swim, but after reading blogs and stories from the Channel swimming community and thanks to the advice of several successful past swimmers, I feel like I have enough of a handle on what to expect to crack on with training for now.
Over the next eight months I will be training to prepare for a few different aspects of the swim:
- Distance: the Channel is 21 miles across at its shortest point but the tides will push me off course, so that I can expect to be swimming for at least 12 hours.
- Cold: the water will be between 16-18 degrees C in August and I will not be wearing a wetsuit, so I'm planning to spend lots of time training colder water so it feels balmy on the day! I'll also be trying to put on some weight to insulate me from the cold.
- Open water: though we'll try and set out in calm conditions, there will be points where the water is choppy and uncomfortable.
- Feeding: it will be important to stay fuelled up, but stopping for more than 15-30 seconds at a time will add up over twelve hours. I'll need to practise eating/drinking quickly without touching the boat and without getting sick.
I plan to update this blog at the end of every month so that friends and family can follow how preparations are going. It will also be useful tool to keep me honest and make sure I'm racking up the distance I need to in the pool each week.
There are also some exciting events and milestones that I look forward to sharing as I get nearer the swim:
- 6hr qualifying sea swim
- Champion of Champions race in Dover Harbour
- Caldicott School charity Swim-a-thon
- Training camp off the Scottish coast and in Loch Ness
- Jubilee River race
In order for the swim to take place at all, I need help to pay for the pilot boat, registration fees and other training costs. Please consider supporting my swim by donating to the JustGiving page. You will also be supporting the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) and the important work they do protecting the UK's coasts and seas. Half of your donation will go to MCS and the other half will towards the swim. As soon as we've raised enough for the swim to go ahead, I'll swap the link from a crowdfunding page to a charity page and all of your donations will go straight to MCS.
Thank you for your support!
Dan
danshailer@btinternet.com
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