English Channel?

Gabriel, a most excellent goal! But maybe a bit aggressive for someone with no open water experience. I swam the channel in 2000; it was a terrific experience! And I strongly encourage anyone who has set this as a personal goal. In training for the channel I was training about 25K to 40K per week (which is much less then the experts suggest) and I was getting into open water as often as possible, a couple of times a week at the Jersey shore from May through October, making sure to get in a number of cold and cool water swims (48F – 60F). The channel in August will be around 60F, which is cold if you haven’t trained for it. And now for a brief reality check… going from no open water experience to a 10 – 14 hour (or longer) cold water swim in what can be rather challenging conditions, in less than one year is unprecedented. Also, attempting the channel isn’t cheap, plan on spending $7,000 to $10,000 when all is said and done. If I may make a suggestion or 2… (I will anyway) 1) Yes, find a trainer. There are many channel swimmers in the NYC area. 2) Start open water training immediately (even if only 30 minutes or so, this will get you used to cold water and open water conditions) 3) Plan on a channel attempt no earlier that 2009 4) For 2008 compete in 5 or 6 2-5K swims, 2 or 3 10K’s and if possible a 25K. I think USMS will be running a 25K next year. This would be a good opportunity to get in a 6-7 hour swim. 5) In 2009 swim the Tampa Bay Marathon, time wise this is close to the channel, only in warmer water (and Ron Collins does a superb job) 6) Okay it was more than 1 or 2 suggestions – final suggestion GO FOR IT!!

The channel swim requires that you be ready to take on tides, waves and water temperature. You have to be ready for a swim what could take as long as 12 hours or even more. I did many a race over 12 hours but never trained for 12 hours. All of my distance training was done by doing paced swimming from 1, 2, or 3 hr swims and sometimes twice a day. I did my long swim training in races one every weekend all summer. A great dutch swimmer said never train over 9 hrs but that was not for me. I have never done the English channel but have done tougher swims. My brother did the channel twice in races but did not do a solo swim.

George,I am interested in what tougher swims you have done. You arouse my curiosity. Miles

I think USMS will be running a 25K next year. Do tell.... -LBJ

George,I am interested in what tougher swims you have done. You arouse my curiosity. Miles Cross Lake Ontario for one. The day we raced it started out at 70 degrees until we reached half way. It was a 32 mile swim. The temperature dropped at the halfway mark to 55 then to 48 degrees and much colder after that. Abou Heif considered a top marathon swimmer exited the race 4 miles from shore, he was blown almost 8 miles off course by an easterly wind. Judy Dennise from Holland also withdrew with the cold about a half hour before Abou. I had gone east during my swim and the wind a nor/easter blew me towards the finish line but it was very cold. The life guard told me where I was the temperature was 38 degrees f. All of the cold water swimmers Cliff Lumsdon, Dennis Matuch, Ted Erricson, all exited long before Abou. Several of them had crossed the channel. Some had done 2 way crossings. The lifeguard from Sunny Side beach pulled me out. I was the last swimmer in the water except for Bill Sadlo who stayed in the warm water. He knew the water was cold so he stayed where it was warm. He thought he would get the prize money as the last person in the water. He did not get the money. When I got to the hospital I saw mounds of blankets that were shaking. Under those mounds were all the swimmers who had to withdraw. I went to their bed sides and made sure they were allright. No one finished that race.

Go for it George.. A 25K should be a walk in the park for you.

Originally Posted by Rob Copeland I think USMS will be running a 25K next year. Do tell.... -LBJThe USMS 25K will be held on Saturday July 19, 2008 in Noblesville, IN. More information to follow...

absolutely best of luck to you! that would be an amazing feat for anyone

Does anybody have any experience/advice on training to swim this beast? I'm 23 years old, swam competitively from ~6 to 18, and since then have been lightly going to the gym a few times a week. At my peak, I was averaging about 7km a day, but have no experience with open water swimming. Ideally, I'd like to try it around August 2008... I currently live in NYC and my brother, who lives in New Haven, is also training for this event. I've checked out the Channel Swimming Association website, but would really appreciate any advice you have to offer. I think the first step would be finding a trainer . . . ? Please let me know! Gabriel gabriel, nyc is a great place to be as there are quite a few swimmers training for the channel close by. go to brighton 4 on sunday at 10. or www.cibbows.org you will meet a few people who have done the channel and who are training for it as well. also www.swimnyc.org has an event named for gertrude ederle (from the battery to sandy hook in mid october) i am sure that all those who enter this event have their eye on the channel.

Hey Guys, Thanks very much for all the great replies- I suppose I knew all along that 2008 was a bit ambitious... Rob, thanks for the advice- the major points I've heard from most people are 1) build up to it with shorter open-water swims in cold temp and long swims in warmer temp 2) acclimate to the cold by training in comparable conditions obviously general distance training is important, but these two have been strongly stressed by anyone I've spoken to. Chaos, thanks also for the pointers. It's great to know about local support for training. Anybody know of people in New Haven who could help my brother out? We're trying to stay on similar tracks... Once again, thanks for everything. Cheers, Gabriel