English Channel 2013

I go in 4 1/2 weeks. First week of August on 2nd slot. Scared! Did an EC Double relay in 2008 so I have some idea of the "terrain" and I therefore have experience of the current off the Cap. Don't worry about the centre of the Channel, the Seperation Zone. I've never heard of anyone having problems with currents there, but remember the centre isn't halfway. Expect much saltier water also. About 1% salinity increase over Ireland. Also, expect to spend a lot more on a lot of small cumulative hidden extra costs like much more food, massages, injuries, gear, associated travel. Do your best to find someone to train with as much as possible. If not pool then certainly sea. This would be the most important tip I have. I passed 1 million metres since January last week, and will pass 1.5 million, since official training began at the start of last September, in 2 days time. Since January, we have done 3 long pools swims of 7,8 & 9 hours, 1 x6 hr lake swim, 3 x 6 hr sea swims and 1 x 8 hour sea swim with another 8 hr planned for next weekend before tapering. My recommendation: Come to IRELAND for the SandyCove Distance Camp in mid June before you swim. There were about 20 of us at this year. Cold water and great fun and fantastic preparation. Everyone who has attended so far that went on to swim the Channel has been successful. Total swim distance was 140k metres in 10 days. (I only managed 110,000). We have the highest success rate outside Freda Streeter & Dover. This year included a TBBC (Total Brain & Body Confusion), where we all got in the water (rough that day btw) with no idea what we would be doing or for how long. Challenge was set by previous successful Channel Swimmers from our local group. Here's a quote from Ned the organiser, (Steve Munatones here has met Ned in Florida I believe). "No set pattern for feeds and NO WATCHES allowed. Stopped 2 swimmers (next to each other) after 75 minutes and fed just one - and then sped off in the boat. I will say that the second swimmer looked a bit - neglected. Sent the fastest swimmer on a big loop so they were then last in the group (jeez- fastest swimmers really hate that). Back at the Island the swimmers were directed to come into the slipway after 2 laps (3k) and again some got fed and some didn't...and then sent in various directions. One swimmers came in and was ignored...eventually got the feeder's attention and was to told to do a 500m loop and come back....jeez if the drink wasn't then spilled before they got it....causing another 500m loop. One middle aged crew stripped naked to deliver one feed bottle - putting the swimmer off their feed and well life in general. Two swimmers arrived in for a feed to be greeted by a big round of applause for one....who was congratulated on a great swim and helped out the water - the other sent back around the Island. Another third set of swimmers were sent out with a boat - with a long swim back into the wind/current. Towards the very end some swimmers came in to feed to see their buddies enjoying hot soup, sandwiches and burgers. One came in to see the lastest soup pot in the world EMPTY (he didn't know that there was a second one!)" Here's my website. I'm trying to put everything I've learned on it.

I go in 4 1/2 weeks. First week of August on 2nd slot. Scared! Did an EC Double relay in 2008 so I have some idea of the "terrain" and I therefore have experience of the current off the Cap. Don't worry about the centre of the Channel, the Seperation Zone. I've never heard of anyone having problems with currents there, but remember the centre isn't halfway. Expect much saltier water also. About 1% salinity increase over Ireland. Also, expect to spend a lot more on a lot of small cumulative hidden extra costs like much more food, massages, injuries, gear, associated travel. Do your best to find someone to train with as much as possible. If not pool then certainly sea. This would be the most important tip I have. I passed 1 million metres since January last week, and will pass 1.5 million, since official training began at the start of last September, in 2 days time. Since January, we have done 3 long pools swims of 7,8 & 9 hours, 1 x6 hr lake swim, 3 x 6 hr sea swims and 1 x 8 hour sea swim with another 8 hr planned for next weekend before tapering. My recommendation: Come to IRELAND for the SandyCove Distance Camp in mid June before you swim. There were about 20 of us at this year. Cold water and great fun and fantastic preparation. Everyone who has attended so far that went on to swim the Channel has been successful. Total swim distance was 140k metres in 10 days. (I only managed 110,000). We have the highest success rate outside Freda Streeter & Dover. This year included a TBBC (Total Brain & Body Confusion), where we all got in the water (rough that day btw) with no idea what we would be doing or for how long. Challenge was set by previous successful Channel Swimmers from our local group. Here's a quote from Ned the organiser, (Steve Munatones here has met Ned in Florida I believe). "No set pattern for feeds and NO WATCHES allowed. Stopped 2 swimmers (next to each other) after 75 minutes and fed just one - and then sped off in the boat. I will say that the second swimmer looked a bit - neglected. Sent the fastest swimmer on a big loop so they were then last in the group (jeez- fastest swimmers really hate that). Back at the Island the swimmers were directed to come into the slipway after 2 laps (3k) and again some got fed and some didn't...and then sent in various directions. One swimmers came in and was ignored...eventually got the feeder's attention and was to told to do a 500m loop and come back....jeez if the drink wasn't then spilled before they got it....causing another 500m loop. One middle aged crew stripped naked to deliver one feed bottle - putting the swimmer off their feed and well life in general. Two swimmers arrived in for a feed to be greeted by a big round of applause for one....who was congratulated on a great swim and helped out the water - the other sent back around the Island. Another third set of swimmers were sent out with a boat - with a long swim back into the wind/current. Towards the very end some swimmers came in to feed to see their buddies enjoying hot soup, sandwiches and burgers. One came in to see the lastest soup pot in the world EMPTY (he didn't know that there was a second one!)" Here's my website. I'm trying to put everything I've learned on it.