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
Parents
Former Member
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.
Reply
Former Member
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.
