English Channel 2013

RE: English Channel 2013

Former Member — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 15:04:21 GMT

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.

RE: English Channel 2013

Former Member — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 14:49:39 GMT

"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!)" I assume you strip searched all the swimmers for weapons first.

RE: English Channel 2013

Former Member — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 14:32:07 GMT

I hope all goes well on your crossing, yes the training is so important. I would say I dont know if I could do it on my own with out my coach. He has really helped me hit my times for my open water races and hopeful for 10k nationals I am with you on doing enough swimming it is so important, my coach and I do 2 swims a day and this summer are headed to a friends place were the live on the lake to do some 6 hour or more swims and to get my swim for the channel. It so much work but feel like I am living out a dream right now cant be live it is going to happen next year best wish to you hope it goes well in 4 months!!

RE: English Channel 2013

Former Member — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 05:35:04 GMT

We are set to go Sep 18-24th 2011 with Andy king so excited! I will let you know how it turns out and hope yours goes smashing!!

RE: English Channel 2013

jkormanik — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 12:04:05 GMT

Aurora - thanks for the information. I just watched Edward's video on youtube. Very inspirational (as is virtually every video of a successful swim I have watched). I've booked with Reg Brickell as my pilot. Best of luck on your swim and training. Please keep in touch! John

RE: English Channel 2013

Former Member — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 05:09:44 GMT

hey jkormanik it sounds like you got a good program down! I am booking for next fall for the channel! we moved it up beacause things worked out to do it. I was going to tell you that I am booking with Andy King, He is a great caption, dont know if you have one set. My coach worked with him for his last swim. Also just to pass info along to help you out, for feedings my coach has me on Carbo pro, It has worked well for long swims you can mix it with any sports drinks. Also in the way of coaches you can find ones that are in England that will do a written training plan for a year and then you dont have to pay travel coast of your coach they might be more willing to go on the boat. I know if you look into cambridge swimming there is a man named Edward Williams he does remot coaching and has crossed the channel him self. He has a vidioe on U tub that is quite impressive. Good luck and hope all goes well for you, any more info I find out I will pass along to you!

RE: English Channel 2013

jkormanik — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 02:15:21 GMT

Thanks for the insight Aurora! I am in the process of booking my Pilot. I have contacted several swim coaches and am still trying to figure that part out. I highly doubt my swim coach will travel to the Channel with me. I plan on having my wife help me with my training here in Boise, Idaho. She has agreed to paddle along with me in the various reservoirs and lakes and assist me with my feeding and pace. She will know my swimming in and out by the time 2013 rolls around.

RE: English Channel 2013

Former Member — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 16:58:59 GMT

I am looking to do the channel my self in that same year. If you want to do it they say it books up to two years in advance for a boat, Mallory mead informed me of this today she is a former channels swimmer, she goes to many confrances on swimming and for marthon swims.I would also think about getting a coach that focuses on channel swimming. The coach I am working with does coach channel swimmers and I am training with one that he helped to cross the channel. He is now doing another marthon swim.You also want one that would be willing to go with you, that way they can make sure your swim stays on time and to feed you the right things. Read all you can tied is really tricky , goes in a circle in center, my coach warned me about getting stuck in it if you don't make fast time he said you could get stuck in it and its hard to get out. The time of year June-Aug is best. Also do some night swimming too cause you will either start or end in the dark or both. Right now I am swimming 10ks this year and next year trying to get into the Elderle Island swim 17miles. Best of wishes to you mabe I will see you in England, if you need anymore info feel free to contact me. This has become my life obsesson at the monent and read many books on the channel swim!

RE: English Channel 2013

Former Member — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 15:04:31 GMT

From a recent local news article on swimming the channel, it has good training info. www.reporterherald.com/news_story.asp The swim is 24 miles from Dover to Calais, France, and it’s crucial that weather and the tides combine to offer optimum conditions. “We’ll each also have a boat pilot who will watch the tides and weather to decide the best time to swim,” Bakel said. “There’s a peninsula out there that can present problems. They talk about the gods of the Channel who suddenly bring weather changes. The tides pull you east and west, and if you’re late getting to the peninsula, the tide actually pushes you away.”

RE: English Channel 2013

jkormanik — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 02:26:18 GMT

Thanks to all for the well wishes. I read Dover Solo in about 3 days...excellent resource! I'm in the process of reserving my Channel Pilot for the swim (yes, they are taking reservations 3 years out). I have selected the 1st neap tide in August 2013 as my time to swim the Channel. If you would care to follow my progress, I have created a simple blog to chronicle my exploits: channelswim2013.wordpress.com/ John

RE: English Channel 2013

Former Member — Sun, 16 May 2010 16:27:27 GMT

I love it when someone posts a link to this page. People ask me about my swimming, and I usually find a way to say, "I am not that good, but I will tell you that my photo is on the opening page of the Channel Swimming Associaitaions website." (If you look behind the girl who is all greased up, my daughter Mallory Mead, I am wearing the dark blue sweatshirt.):chug:

RE: English Channel 2013

Former Member — Sun, 16 May 2010 07:03:28 GMT

That is so awesome!! Awesome luck to you and major vibes, maybe this will be a challenge I will take on also..everyone in this forum is so motivating. Here is the site I was looking at for Channel swim www.channelswimmingassociation.com

RE: English Channel 2013

Former Member — Wed, 12 May 2010 16:51:18 GMT

You can also get it directly from Marcia. Go to her website DoverSolo.com

RE: English Channel 2013

jbs — Wed, 12 May 2010 12:46:15 GMT

Where can I get my hands on a copy of "Dover Solo"?? My public library doesn't have it, and Barnes & Nobel says it's "out of print." Seems to be available on Amazon. Amazon.com: Dover Solo: Swimming The English Channel (9780967209111): Marcia Cleveland: Books Also, you can try Alibris to see if you can get a used copy. And sometimes public libraries will allow you to do a version of inter-library loan to get books. you might want to ask. Hope that helps.

RE: English Channel 2013

Former Member — Wed, 12 May 2010 09:27:18 GMT

captain tim johnson's "history of open water marathon swimming" is a good read Amazon.com: History of Open-Water Marathon Swimming (9780972172622): Timothy M. Johnson, J Amos St. Germain: Books

RE: English Channel 2013

Former Member — Wed, 12 May 2010 09:14:56 GMT

Thanks! Dover Solo and Open Water Swimming (by Penny Lee Dean) have been ordered! Open Water Swimming by Penny has been my Bible for years. So much info about all kinds of OW swimming & racing

RE: English Channel 2013

Former Member — Wed, 12 May 2010 09:07:27 GMT

I was entertained by 'The Great Swim' - follows the race to be the first woman to swim the english channel - not a 'how to swim the channel for dummies'

RE: English Channel 2013

jkormanik — Wed, 12 May 2010 04:09:46 GMT

Thanks! Dover Solo and Open Water Swimming (by Penny Lee Dean) have been ordered!

RE: English Channel 2013

Former Member — Tue, 11 May 2010 16:36:53 GMT

The whole thing sounds really exciting!! Good luck. Maybe one day.. Lump, Lake Michigan is good and cold right now :) it's kind of a $ thing for me too.

RE: English Channel 2013

Former Member — Tue, 11 May 2010 11:22:15 GMT

rates posted by chaos about right, unfortantely in 2008 it was $2/pound..

RE: English Channel 2013

jkormanik — Tue, 11 May 2010 11:15:53 GMT

Where can I get my hands on a copy of "Dover Solo"?? My public library doesn't have it, and Barnes & Nobel says it's "out of print."

RE: English Channel 2013

jkormanik — Tue, 11 May 2010 10:50:50 GMT

Thanks to all! The $$ is certainly an "issue." Fortunately, I have a very supportive wife and daughter. We'll all make sacrifices. I'll tell you, I"ve already begun hearing: "That's not in your English Channel swim budget"! J

RE: English Channel 2013

Former Member — Tue, 11 May 2010 08:59:46 GMT

Chaos - who's your pilot? Also, I sent you a private message with my e-mail so you can arrange an invitation for me to the google group. John i did a 3 person relay 9/19/09 piloted by mike oram. it was a great experience having the opportunity to talk to the pilot and observer while my swim mates were in the water. watching them adjust the course every 15 minutes based on our swim speed, tidal push, etc. was enlightening. these guys really know their job, and i can confidently just follow the boat (shut up and swim) without second guessing anything they do. i will be swimming with pilot Paul Foreman of the Pace Arrow this year.

RE: English Channel 2013

Former Member — Tue, 11 May 2010 07:42:50 GMT

www.channelswimming.net/

RE: English Channel 2013

Former Member — Tue, 11 May 2010 07:41:09 GMT

Just for curiosity, how expensive is it to cross the channel. Permit + pilot + other associated costs. Not including accommodations and travel. pilot +/- 2000 pounds for a single other fees about 250 pounds current exchange rate is +/- 1.50 dollars/pound