I've have a challenge opportunity - should I do it?

[FlyingBean]

Someone recently asked if I would be willing to consider doing a 2 person channel relay with him this year. I did point out that just about anybody else would be faster so he may want to look elsewhere. However he was more concerned with finding someone who would commit to it and had the determination to keep going when the going gets tough. I'm not sure if this will go ahead, nothing firm was agreed, this opportunity might fall through.

But it got me thinking. Maybe a 2 man relay isn't such a bad idea. So I did some research. I spoke to Alison Streeter (Queen of the Channel), her thoughts in summary were:
1. It would be harder than Windermere
2. Rather than swimming an hour each you do 2,3, 4 or more each, with the time depending on the capabilities of the swimmers concerned
3. She was confident that we'd be able to squeeze a slot in somewhere even if it is on a spring tide

The next day she advised me of a potential slot opening up in the first tide in July, which although much colder than August or September should be OK, given that we'd be doing 6 hour swims in training by then.

I also did some research to find out how many people have done this before. I was astonished to find that only 10 teams have ever done a 2 person relay (data from both ratifying organisations):

<TABLE style="WIDTH: 277pt; BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=369 border=0 x:str><COLGROUP><COL style="WIDTH: 48pt" width=64><COL style="WIDTH: 115pt; mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 5595" width=153><COL style="WIDTH: 66pt; mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 3218" width=88><COL style="WIDTH: 48pt" width=64><TBODY><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; BORDER-LEFT: #d4d0c8; WIDTH: 48pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: #d4d0c8; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right width=64 height=17 x:num>1999</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; BORDER-LEFT: #d4d0c8; WIDTH: 115pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: #d4d0c8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=153>Couch Potatoes</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; BORDER-LEFT: #d4d0c8; WIDTH: 66pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: #d4d0c8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=88>UK</TD><TD class=xl22 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; BORDER-LEFT: #d4d0c8; WIDTH: 48pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: #d4d0c8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right width=64 x:num="0.5708333333333333">13:42</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; BORDER-LEFT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #d4d0c8; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right height=17 x:num>2003</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; BORDER-LEFT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #d4d0c8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent">Junk and Croft Relay</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; BORDER-LEFT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #d4d0c8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent">Australia</TD><TD class=xl22 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; BORDER-LEFT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #d4d0c8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="0.4861111111111111">11:40</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; BORDER-LEFT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #d4d0c8; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right height=17 x:num>2004 </TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; BORDER-LEFT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #d4d0c8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent">Matt & Xanic</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; BORDER-LEFT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #d4d0c8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent">Australia / UK</TD><TD class=xl22 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; BORDER-LEFT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #d4d0c8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="0.52986111111111112">12:43</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; BORDER-LEFT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #d4d0c8; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right height=17 x:num>2004</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; BORDER-LEFT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #d4d0c8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent">Tooting Bec Commoners</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; BORDER-LEFT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #d4d0c8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent">England</TD><TD class=xl22 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; BORDER-LEFT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #d4d0c8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="0.62291666666666667">14:57</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; BORDER-LEFT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #d4d0c8; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right height=17 x:num>2005</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; BORDER-LEFT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #d4d0c8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent">Scotland Relay</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; BORDER-LEFT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #d4d0c8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent">Australia</TD><TD class=xl22 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; BORDER-LEFT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #d4d0c8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="0.39027777777777778">09:22</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; BORDER-LEFT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #d4d0c8; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right height=17 x:num>2005</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; BORDER-LEFT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #d4d0c8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent">Chingola Chasers</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; BORDER-LEFT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #d4d0c8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent">UK</TD><TD class=xl22 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; BORDER-LEFT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #d4d0c8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="0.48333333333333334">11:36</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; BORDER-LEFT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #d4d0c8; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right height=17 x:num>2006</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; BORDER-LEFT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #d4d0c8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent">Team Shooter</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; BORDER-LEFT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #d4d0c8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent">UK</TD><TD class=xl22 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; BORDER-LEFT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #d4d0c8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="0.43055555555555558">10:20</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; BORDER-LEFT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #d4d0c8; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right height=17 x:num>2006</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; BORDER-LEFT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #d4d0c8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent">Epping Forest Flotsam</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; BORDER-LEFT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #d4d0c8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent">S. Africa / UK</TD><TD class=xl22 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; BORDER-LEFT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #d4d0c8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="0.54722222222222217">13:08</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; BORDER-LEFT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #d4d0c8; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right height=17 x:num>2006</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; BORDER-LEFT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #d4d0c8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent">Fifty Something</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; BORDER-LEFT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #d4d0c8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent">Australia</TD><TD class=xl22 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; BORDER-LEFT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #d4d0c8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="0.72013888888888899">17:17</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; BORDER-LEFT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #d4d0c8; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right height=17 x:num>2007</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; BORDER-LEFT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #d4d0c8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent">The Potter's Big Swim</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; BORDER-LEFT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #d4d0c8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent">UK</TD><TD class=xl22 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; BORDER-LEFT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #d4d0c8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="0.51597222222222217">12:23</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

So what do you think. Should I have a go? I think I may be suffering a bit with rose tinted goggles - so an independent view would be good.

If I do do it and this person decides not to - any of you fancy being the other person?

[Juicy Lucy]

If I do do it and this person decides not to - any of you fancy being the other person?

I propose Stevie_k to partner you. I'm sure we'd all come along to give you a good send off.

You say the sea in July would be much colder than August or September? Are there many successful attempts made in July, or is it a month to avoid at all costs? It would be a pity if your enthusiasm was ruined by very cold conditions.

Also, do you know how these other two-person teams swam? Did they do it as a one-hour on, one-hour off, or did they opt for the 3 or 4 hour swim?

You will be doing something I couldn't do. Good luck, FB.

JL

[FlyingBean]

Good questions JL. The tide dates this year are 9th-19th July. On those dates last year the sea temperature was between 15.8C and 16.6C. My solo attempt was 17.1C, which although not all that different does feel warmer. I didn't have any problems with 17.1, so I don't think the water temperature will be a problem per se. However, a lot depends on the weather conditions, particularly wind, as with poor conditions it may be difficult to warm up between swims.

As for dates of previous swims, I don't have dates for the CSA ones, but the CS&PF ones were as follows:
20/7; 21/7; 24/7; 7/8; 7/8; 11/8

So this is a little earlier - interesting observation.

I don't know how the others swam theirs. I could try and find out. I don't think they would have done one-hour stints as you really wouldn't get the chance to warm up or rest. 2 hours (possibly 3) could be done without the need to stop for feeds, above that feeding from a pole becomes something to consider. 3 or more hours and you have enough rest to really warm up and possibly even have a sleep. On the Swim Trek trip to Gozo we did split swims, i.e. one in the morning and one in the afternoon. The longest was 2.5 hrs in the morning and 3 hrs in the afternoon with a few hours gap in the middle. The temperature was about the same as channel temperatures in July. I didn't warm up completely, but once I got back in I was fine and coped well.

One other positive - I don't think that I've completely got rid of my shoulder injury and if it was earlier in the season there would be less time for repetitive strain to cause another major injury.

So Stevie_k - you up for it then? :zip:

[KatieBun]

If I know you at all, I'd say you're itching to accept the challenge. I think you'll be kicking yourself and wondering "what if" if you don't. Wouldn't it be one step up from the relay team and be good prep for your next solo run?

[FlyingBean]

KB I think it would be several steps up from a 6 person relay and would be really good prep for another solo. Just want to make sure it's a step that builds success rather than embeds failure.

If I do this, the plan would be to do this and Windermere - that's two big swims in one season! It's easy to plan these things sitting comfortably in my centrally heated house, I just know I'll kick myself the first week back in Dover when I remember how cold it is!

[KatieBun]

KB I think it would be several steps up from a 6 person relay and would be really good prep for another solo. Just want to make sure it's a step that builds success rather than embeds failure.

If I do this, the plan would be to do this and Windermere - that's two big swims in one season! It's easy to plan these things sitting comfortably in my centrally heated house, I just know I'll kick myself the first week back in Dover when I remember how cold it is!
Even if you don't remember how cold it is or the memory doesn't match the reality, you've had the guts before and you haven't changed. Your determination is still there. Go for it FB!

[FlyingBean]

Thanks KB.

[GettingFaster]

Yup, FB's still got very efficient pink goggles, glad to see they're still doing their thing.

You KNOW you want to, you KNOW you can do it. Now that you've written down all the positive things, have you written down the negative things all in one hit? Might help counteract the goggle colour. Then when you say "oh alright then" you know you have made an informed decision and you'll be able to go at it full tilt without the "ooer, should I really be doing this?" nibbling at the back of your mind.

[FlyingBean]

OK GF, so the negatives:
1. 6 person relay is fun and you can pretty much guarantee getting there. A 2 person relay would not been fun and would be a really tough challenge - no guarantees
2. There must be a reason why so few have done this. What I don't know is who has tried and failed, I only have listings for successful attempts
3. I have to do full on training from the word go, I'll be missing some weekends due to other commitments so it will be difficult
4. I don't yet know who I will do this with
5. It's a serious financial commitment
6. Did I mention it's cold?!
7. I don't yet have a new feeding strategy that's tried and tested
8. My shoulders are a risk
9. As JL pointed out, I'm not sure if anyone has done this as early in the season - why is that?

[Brick]

So what do you think. Should I have a go? I think I may be suffering a bit with rose tinted goggles - so an independent view would be good.


Of course you should do it. It's not my money, time, blood, sweat, and tears, that will be committed if you have a go, so the answer is easy!

[FlyingBean]

Of course you should do it. It's not my money, time, blood, sweat, and tears, that will be committed if you have a go, so the answer is easy!
Ha Ha Nice one!!

[GettingFaster]

OK GF, so the negatives:
1. 6 person relay is fun and you can pretty much guarantee getting there. A 2 person relay would not been fun and would be a really tough challenge - no guarantees
But we all know you enjoy a proper challenge rather than just playing at it. You've already done the 6-person relay, you'd be bored just repeating something you've already succeeded at rather than upping the challenge.
2. There must be a reason why so few have done this. What I don't know is who has tried and failed, I only have listings for successful attempts
It could be because 2-person relays don't hit the headlines the way solos do, and as you have to put in the same level of training, maybe those who train just try the solos instead of the pairs.
3. I have to do full on training from the word go, I'll be missing some weekends due to other commitments so it will be difficult
But not impossible. And you are the sort of person who can make the most of the sessions you DO do, particularly as you already know what you'll be letting yourself in for.
4. I don't yet know who I will do this with
Well it won't be me!
5. It's a serious financial commitment
Yeah, that's a biggie. Only you can say whether that's something to stop you saying yes. But once you've passed that, the finances won't have an effect on whether you'd finish it or not, so not really something to think about in this list.
6. Did I mention it's cold?!
Yeah, and? Won't it be even colder while you're doing 6-hr swims for training? Did it kill you last year? No.
7. I don't yet have a new feeding strategy that's tried and tested
A potential biggie, but how long will the training lead-up be - would you have enough time in that to work it out? Oh, and one little gem of advice - no jelly-beans!
8. My shoulders are a risk
Another potential biggie, that you'll need to be very level-headed about.
9. As JL pointed out, I'm not sure if anyone has done this as early in the season - why is that?
Cos not everyone's as barking as you are! :D
.

[FlyingBean]

Thanks GF - I should have known you'd find an answer for all of them!! Now are you sure about your answer to number 4? And I agree about the jelly babies - not good!!

[amanda.corndoll]

you could start the training now even though the partner is not yet sorted etc because it still means you can make the desicion later. if you dont start then thats the desicion made. i heard bob dylan on his radio show say " you should shoot for the moon because if you miss you will still be among the stars" you should go for it. if it later turns out your shoulder is not so good or you find you dont have the money to go you will still have trained extra and not lost anything.

[FlyingBean]

Thanks Amanda - good points. The training I'm doing for Windermere is probably the right training for this too at this point in the calendar, I absolutely agree that until I make a final decision I need to keep my options open, and let's face it, training is never a waste. I learned a lot about what training worked for me last year and what didn't, so I have tailored my training this year accordingly.

If a slot does come up I will need to put my money where my mouth is and pay a deposit of approx £1k, non-refundable. What I would save if I backed out is the remaining balance. That said, I've proved that I can do a 6 person relay even on an injured shoulder, so worst case scenario I would convert to that. So watch out everyone, it could turn into a swimclub relay........

But for now I'm hearing yes with a few words of caution.

[GettingFaster]

My answer for 4 remains resolutely the same, for oh, so many reasons, many of which you've already mentioned for your own consideration.


1. A 6-person swim is supposed to be fun compared to the hard slog of a 2-person swim. Seeing as I doubt I'd ever consider even a 6-person swim there's even less chance of a 2-person attempt involving me.
2. There is a reason why so few have done this. It's because it's bloomin' difficult!
3. Full-on training for me would just not happen. With my parental swimming commitments of getting sprogs to 4.5 hrs of swimming on both weekend days, and my altruistic nature, I feel I would have to sacrifice the personal opportunity in order to continue my services to the sprogs.
4. Already answered.
5. It's a serious financial commitment. (I hear SeaFrance has some good deals going, if I really want to get to France that badly...)
6. It's cold. And you know what I'm like just sitting round the edge of a normal, heated swimming pool environment. Until the channel ends up both a lot narrower and no colder than 25 degrees, it's not the swimming environment for me.
7. Feeding? All I know is, no jelly babies. And my peanut butter sandwiches would get soggy. That or I'd have great difficulty eating steak and trimmings washed down with Guinness, which is the only other feeding strategy I've ever worked out.
8. My shoulders, hips, knees, ankles, wrists, pelvis and every joint in my spine are a risk. As is the firm knowledge that my sanity has been questionable - and indeed questioned - for a long time.
9. So early in the season doesn't even come into it. ANY time in the season would explain why I'm not going to be your swimming partner.

But we all know you're going to manage to persuade yourself to do it...

[Dover Swimmer]

Hi Bean

I would advise that you do it unless you think that you have anything to lose...but be advised that it will be very tough (but you don't need me to tell you that). IMO (having done the grand total of..er..one relay myself (but it was a two-way)), they are in many ways tougher than a solo. But you probably have your own views on this from your 6-person relay.

The decision on how long to swim for each would be key - you want long enough to be able to try and eat/not be sick/get over sickness/get dry/get into your next costume/get some sleep (although sleep might not be too necessary on a one way I guess).

I say go for it - I know I would if that helps! - it will be great training and I don't know what you have to lose. But don't underestimate the toughness.

Do you know Anna (tall, freckly, did a relay last season)? She did a 3-person one-way relay in 2004. She might be good to talk to (although be aware that they had a PERFECT day for it - she knows this!)

I wouldn't worry about being early in the season, as you say you'll be swimming for 4 hours max and you know you can do that in colder water.

Nic x

PS if possible, choose your pilot boat wisely for a relay - one that's slightly comfortable and doesn't pitch all over the place, to minimise risk of sickness between swims!

[Dover Swimmer]

I propose Stevie_k to partner you. I'm sure we'd all come along to give you a good send off.

You say the sea in July would be much colder than August or September? Are there many successful attempts made in July, or is it a month to avoid at all costs? It would be a pity if your enthusiasm was ruined by very cold conditions.



I did my solo swim in July, it was no problem at all. If you get a half-way sunny day then it's fine.

I would strongly advise against one-hour on, one-hour off. I'd do at the VERY least two, if not three or four.

[Dover Swimmer]

due to other commitments so it will be difficult
4. I don't yet know who I will do this with
5. It's a serious financial commitment


4. I thought in your first post someone had asked you to do this with them - ?
5. Yep - very very true and would be my main consideration, personally.

[Spidey]

I'd love to do it with you, but in spirit only.

Good luck.

[FlyingBean]

4. I thought in your first post someone had asked you to do this with them - ?
Thanks for all the pointers DS. I was asked to do a 2 person relay, and this may still go ahead, but it's not firm and there is a very real risk that it will not happen with this person. Problem is the seed of the idea has been sewn.....!!!

My initial reaction was that this was harder than a solo, but I don't know why I thought this, on reflection it didn't seem to be logical. I guess if it is really tough it would be a really good indicator as to how I would fare on my next solo attempt. I think mentally it will be hard getting ready for each of the subsequent swims, particularly as you're much more aware of progress (or lack of) that is being made - sometimes ignorance is bliss.

I really enjoyed both my 6 person relays. Our first one was brilliant, very fast and near perfect conditions. Last year's relay was also fun, albeit with conditions that were good, but not as good. If I'm honest I also enjoyed the solo attempt (apart from the sickness and getting out before the job was done).

As for boats, the slot that may come up is on Ali's boat. I haven't seen it yet, so can't comment, but hopefully it will be good for the bits between swims.

[Leprechaun]

Some thoughts:

Maybe so few do it as it is probably easier to focus on the big solo. A 6 person relay is the standard (I think). I thought a two-way might have been a good stepping stone to a solo but with hindsight I might have found it hard to make the next step up given the 2 person relay would have been far tougher than the 6 person, but in the end nothing quite like the solo.

I'd be worried it might be a very expensive training swim (I know something about these...) Even if you had a very long 16 hour combined relay time, that gives you 2 x 4hr or 4 x 2hr slots. Are these really any harder than Dover? I would have thought a longish solo swim -with a boat - 8-10 hours with feeding and so on might be more beneficial but I am not speaking from much experience.

I think the mental side of relays is so different to solos I would not want to lose focus on the ultimate goal...

[chris_lamb]

4. Already answered.

So that's a yes then?

[GettingFaster]

So that's a yes then?

There wasn't a Y anywhere in my answer - a good few Fs, but no Y...