Channel Swim 2013 - Triathlon

Proven Robbie W

20/12/2011 at 12:25

Because of a major flaw in my decision making process, I have just booked a piloted slot on a neap tide in August 2013, to swim the Channel.

Apart from activities undertaken on alcohol fuelled evenings, I am struggling to think of anything more stupid that I’ve agreed to in my life and what’s more concerning .. it turns out I’m going to have to ditch the armbands in the Worlds busiest shipping lane.

The conditions, which seem to make swim leg of Norseman sound appealing, are out of my control but the next eighteen months of wetsuit free swimming is something I need to plan and recommendations for long distance open water swims would be appreciated (UK or European).

Words of encouragement are welcome to manifest themselves as flak highlighting the sheer stupidity…

Thanks.

Rw

fat buddha

20/12/2011 at 12:29

you need to take advice from Dr Nic who has swum the Channel solo twice + a 2 way relay swim, and/or Zuppy - a mad Irish guy who's also swum it. they rarely post these days but I'll PM them to take a look here and offer any advice they can.

good luck - it's a great challenge

M...eldy

pirate

20/12/2011 at 12:29

Nutter

Seriously you will find a lot of experience and help in here, we have had a few successes and attempts at the crossing

Good lick ! (as they say on the continent)

Gladys M.

20/12/2011 at 12:57

Funkin was a crew member on the swim of the girl (Jo Kenney?) who did the Arch to Arc. He may have some insight? Dark Vader also had a crack as well at A2A but the swim got him iirc.

Didn't Egoman do it?

Sounds a just horrific challenge if you ask me but hats off, it's a big one! Do it. In a Pirate Swim cap.

Golden Boots pirate

pirate

20/12/2011 at 13:01

Must admit after reading this I have just spent 15 minutes looking at it and thinking what a challenge it would be! Then I saw the cost!!!

All the best for it though mate... A really tough challenge in my opinion though... one worth of respect!

Plum

pirate

20/12/2011 at 13:44

should I or shouldnt I............................

Bouncing Barlist pirate

pirate

20/12/2011 at 13:50

Yes you should, id crew for you Plum and I hate (I MEAN HATE) boats

seren nos

pirate

20/12/2011 at 13:55

It is an amazing thing....there are a few people doing openwater swimming at the moment without wetsuits....mainly on the sea......if you are near bournemouth they are swimming every week through the winter some with some without wetsuits........

M...eldy

pirate

20/12/2011 at 14:25

Barlos you could crew from your pedalo !!

Proven Robbie W

20/12/2011 at 14:31

Unlike Ironman where it’s training that causes the most apprehension, the information I’ve had about swimming the Channel suggests that only 10% of the people who actually step into the water at Dover actually make it to Cap Gris Nez with a majority being taken down by the tide, weather or temperature.

Whilst landing on the beach, unbeknown to our cheesing eating surrender monkey neighbours, fills me with excitement, preparing for failure and another two year wait to try again does not.

My preparations start tomorrow when, in an effort to cope with the cold (before I am challenged on this…) I will be turning up to work in cotton shorts and a vest-top.

Plum, it would be awesome to have a training buddy, get involved….!

Rw

Edited: 20/12/2011 at 14:52

20/12/2011 at 19:19

wow - good luck.
i have looked at it, until I realsied it was officially a non-wet-suit affair.
I would be fished out with hypothermia after about a mile!
Someone I have met at work did it and had to gain a good 10kg in weight just to lard up for the occasion!

Bionic Ironwolf pirate

pirate

20/12/2011 at 21:33

It's an expensive outing - 2400 squids for the pilot and boat, plus association membership, plus your qualifying swim, doctor's certificate, hotel costs for a week plus, 'cos the pilot gives you a week's "window" and you have to be there at Dover waiting for him to call and tell you what day/time to be ready for the off. And it's possible the weather will prevent your swim. Sure I've forgotten something..........

In the Blue

21/12/2011 at 20:10

You forgot travel insurance that covers open water swimming IW.

I'm happy with the idea of a relay but the idea of doing it all myself is just a pipe dream, I know my limits but go for it, why not.

No idea where you are but there's some of us will be swimming the south coastline for training next year come and join us if you're close enough.

In some respects it is like ironman as you need the PMA to believe you can do it.

Seren, do you have any more info about people swimming in Bournemouth? I need to carry on my cold water acclimatising but I obviously can't do that in the sea alone.

m..eface

pirate

21/12/2011 at 22:13

Dart 10k

http://www.outdoorswimmingsociety.com/index.php?p=events&s&id=69

Eton 10k - can be wetsuitless

http://swimseries.humanrace.co.uk/events/eton

Proven Robbie W

22/12/2011 at 09:37

m.eface - great recommendations on both, thanks. Wont make Eton this year (to date Ironman swim is upper limit of my water-born endurance). Definitely keen on Dart in 2012 and Eton will be going into 2013 calendar!

Rw

m..eface

pirate

22/12/2011 at 10:10

The Dart was a sell out last year.

We booked a holiday down there and was searching for a 10k run to do and that popped out - looked great and would have entered if it wasn't full.

We'd love you to add a comment! Please login or take half a minute to register as a free member