The English Channel [Archive] - SwimClub.co.uk Forums

swimmer

24-05-2006, 12:07 AM

heya, was just wondering if anyone on here has swum the channel? I'm swimming a bit of it in a race in July and was wondering what your experiences were? Basically, I have the WORST phobia of fish ever, I get panic attacks when I see one, and don't even get me started on jellyfish.

I've got my first open water sesh this Sunday on the south coast somewhere, fingers crossed I make it out alive!! xx

Speedy Gonzalez

24-05-2006, 06:02 AM

Are you sure you want to swim in the sea if you don't like fish?

One trick is to wear dark goggles, that way you can't see anything down there.

e-fitz

24-05-2006, 07:01 AM

The Channel can be very different at different times - July is quite early and it will be cool, but not as cold as it will be this weekend.... I was lucky enough to get a place on a team last year, with several other swimclubbers and although we had the minimum acclimatisation training, it all went well. I was worried about jellies, the cold, seasickness in the escort boat and the abrasive effect of salt water particularly under the arms. In the event, the only problem I had was sunburn. Yes, really.

The jellyfish kept their distance, about a metre down, and were quite useful for giving some sense of speed, as the bottom is out of sight. I saw no fish at all. The odd freighter tanking through the channel livened things up, particularly for leprechaun who managed a bit of surfing...., and seagulls buzzed each of us, presumably because there are so few fish.

We enjoyed water at 19 degrees, clear blue skies, neap tides (i.e. virtually none) and water that was flatter than the local pool, until half way at least. The other side was rougher. I was able to use the sun to steer a reasonably straight course which is probably why I got some sunburn.

Good luck with the swim, - it is a huge amount of fun and a great sense of achievement. Let us know how you get on...

Steve

24-05-2006, 08:16 AM

swimmer

24-05-2006, 08:41 AM

yep Steve i'm doing it! omg e-fitz you actually SEE the jellyfish???!!! Like lots of them??!! ahhhh, the only goggles that dont leak on me are my opals which are light, going to go on the hunt for some darker ones sharpish! I don't really mind too much about the cold. Defintely going to do it though, what er, better way to get over a phobia, and it will sure as hell make me swim fast! Will let you know how I get on... :)

hop2407

24-05-2006, 12:00 PM

I did the channel back in '88 as part of a relay team... and yes there were jellyfish and on my watch..... 6 of us all did 1 hour each, once we had all been in, started from beginning again (I guess this is the norm)

Had the goose grease on, in the pits, neck and inner thighs etc. and I swam through the jellyfish - hand on heart, yes I saw them but they did not bother me at all, that is, it wasn't like some spongebob squarepants sketch and they all gang together to sting me (the kids watch it, not me - honest !!) .... One of the others managed to get the droppings from a tanker that crossed our path (not toilet droppings but general waste - I'm sure they are not allowed to do that)... As for Fish - couldn't see them.
The water temp was nice (about an inch or 2 from the surface) but below that it was very fresh. Sun was out and when we set off, the water was like a mill pond - but obviously does get choppier in the middle.

Fantastic experience, especially getting to France..... the boat ride back can be a bit boring unless it's sunny, your a sun worshipper, there's enough room on the boat to sprawl out, you dont feel ill and you have your SPF 20 lotion....

Good luck my friend - enjoy the experience...

Big Nev

24-05-2006, 02:05 PM

Like Hop, I did a relay in 1994.

August bank holiday..water quite warm but force 5 gale blowing. The pilot said if we had have been a single swimmer he wouldn't have gone.

Never saw a fish once. So don't worry.

broomhillsaved

24-05-2006, 11:20 PM

swimmer :- I'm friends with Mike Read who's swum the channel 33 times; would you like him to e-mail you?

alex136

25-05-2006, 02:03 AM

i love swimming in the sea but am really scared of sharks and stuff :) I mean I can t see the bottom so JAWSmight be waiting for me! no honestly areyou not scared of not seeing wht is underneah you?

hop2407

25-05-2006, 07:43 AM

i love swimming in the sea but am really scared of sharks and stuff :) I mean I can t see the bottom so JAWSmight be waiting for me! no honestly areyou not scared of not seeing wht is underneah you?

:) That's a very common question and not always from channel swimmers.... even some of the Joe public wont go into the sea and swim if they cant see or touch the bottom - so dont feel alienated about it.....
I guess it's a question of mind over matter..... I'm pretty sure that there are no sharks or man eating fish in the Channel, and hundreds have crossed / attempted to cross the channel and as far as I am aware, none have experienced any difficulties with creatures from the water (Jellyfish aside) ....

Now if it was Australia or the U.S etc, then I guess the need for concern is upped but I'm sure all the warnings would be made before hand - a proffesional / governing body would not encourage anyone to take part in a water activity if there was any danger, without providing the necessary warning.....

Practise in outdoor lakes etc.... again the thoughts will be there, even in the lake but the more you do it without seeing anything in the water, the more your confidence will grow.....

Steve

25-05-2006, 08:10 AM

Now if it was Australia or the U.S etc, then I guess the need for concern is upped but I'm sure all the warnings would be made before hand - a proffesional / governing body would not encourage anyone to take part in a water activity if there was any danger, without providing the necessary warning.....

Or in the case of ocean swimming in Australia, making you sign a waiver that indeminifies the organisers if you are attacked by a shark/jellyfish/freak wave whatever.

Did I ever tell you lot that I saw a shark on an ocean swim at Manly once? Only a tiddler (as I was coming out of Shelly beach for those of you who know the area) but it made me swim a bit faster I can assure you.

Leprechaun

25-05-2006, 01:03 PM

I feel obliged to back up e-fitz's words of encouragement. We had very little preparation, just the odd open water swim and long distance pool or lido stuff. The South Coast sea is much warmer than you would imagine, certainly so on a good sunny day.

You get into a nice rhythym and once you have worked out how to avoid breathing a wave then it really is fine. Its not a 25m sprint there arent any nasty things to worry about, so relax, breathe as often as you like, long strokes and keep going.

Until I got in and got on with it I really didnt fancy it. Had swum in the sea but only for a few minutes at a time with the kids at the beach.

Suspect we were lucky in that it was a lovely sunny day and conditions were about as good as it gets.

Go and enjoy!

Roderick

02-07-2006, 08:49 PM

Leprechaun

03-07-2006, 01:26 PM

Hi all,

I would like to swim the channel next year (2007). I have found some sites but not too interesting in terms of experience and I have yet to find the distance anywhere. Could those that have swum it let me know how to go about it, I would be very grateful.

Thanks, Roderick

I have only done it as a relay. There two (UK-based) organisations Channel Swimming Association (CSA) and Channel Swimming & Piloting Federation (CSPF). They each have their own websites. We went last year with a CS&PF boat. http://www.channelswimming.net

The distance is 21 miles , 33km I guess. Being UK-based then these sites may not be much use to you as when they talk about organised training then its usually in Dover, which of course is where you are trying to get to! But I would recommend making contact with the CSPF contacts - they were very helpful to us novices last year, and I am sure they can tell you how training is organised for those who arent Uk-based. I have no idea whether one direction (E-F) is easier then the other (F-E) nor do I know whether there are many French-based boats. The F-E direction is harder for UK swimmers as they have to endure the boat trip then swim back (I think)

Good luck!

Roderick

03-07-2006, 10:59 PM

Thanks

Checked the csa site and found a Belgian rep, he answered straight away and said I should see him for all the info. From what I have been reading there is a fair amount of ready work to be done, mainly cold water preparation if you swim a lot already. I assume I can do this in Belgium as I am 30k from te coast in Oostende.

Thanks

@wildswimmer, you are right I was wrong about the fat content on a swimmer.

r/R

Leprechaun

04-07-2006, 08:58 AM

I can't stand his programme, but I have to admire his courage:

http://www.sportrelief.com/superswim/

Good luck to him!

taxi service

04-07-2006, 04:08 PM

David Walliams has completed the swim in 10.5 hours - pretty impressive!

BigRed

05-07-2006, 02:48 PM

In 2004 I got to be on the boat crew of a guy who had been to one of our workshops. Me & 2 of his friends were there for encouragement & feeding, mostly. About 5 miles from France, the pilot suggested someone get in & swim with him for an hour. We all looked at each other because none of us expected to get in. As it turned out neither of the other guys brought a suit or could really even swim! Since I never go anywhere without my swim bag, I was elected. I got ready, stood on the fantail dipping my foot in the water (which didnt' feel too bad) & the observer wryly said, "you'd be better off just jumping right in...". I don't know what was colder - the tone of her voice or the water, which was around 17C. Anyway, it was the most amazing swimming thing I've ever done. After a few minutes getting used to it, it was awesome to swim out there as part of something so rare, even for just an hour.