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
Former Member
Rob do you think I should consider that race. Will they allow a 75 year old to swim??? I spend a lot of time in the Two "I" states. Also spend time in the other "I" state.
Wow. Great responses! As you all know, there are less folks who have swum the English Channel than have climbed Mount Everest.
I thought the water temp climbed as high as 65F in August. The fee for the channel solo is around $2000.00.
No advice, but I wish you success in your training and your Channel swim. One of the reasons I enjoy checking out the OW section is hearing about people's adventures and planned adventures... Inspires me to consider some adventures of my own, tho not nearly as ambitious as swimming the Channel--awesome!
Wow! Good luck Gabriel! I thought I was being ambitious planning (next summer) to swim across the lake where I grew up in Tennessee (about 3 miles across). I've never done it -- my dad wouldn't let us (and I'm the only one who wanted to do it).
The other part is the temperature ---wow! my pool is down to 72 and I think it's cold. I decided to wait until June to swim (across the lake) -- the water should be quite warm by then but hopefully not yucky hot.
I swam the Channel in 2006. I went with CS&PF. it's time to book your swim and pick the Pilot and escort boat up. Don't delay because all good spots can be taken... plenty of info in following sites:
http://www.channelswimming.net
www.channelswimming.comhttp
www.doversolo.com
Best of luck!!! The Channel swim is so great, fulfilling and satisfying experience. By the way I 'm gonna swim the English Channel again...
Gabriel, a friend of mine attempted the Channel back in August 2007. He only started to prepare about a year before and had done no open water swimming. Justin's training was all steady swimming (no intervals), with open water at every opportunity. I am convinced he would have succeeded, but for the choppy conditions on the day.
If you are sure you want to do it in 2008, no doubt it can be done. But Rob Copeland's advice looks absolutely spot on to me!
Another thing - it is the cold and the tides that stop people making the swim, not the distance. You don't say how big you are, but a good big 'un beats a good little 'un in the English Channel!
I wish you good luck, because no matter how well you swim on the day, you are going to need luck!
