The distance is twenty one miles in a straight line, the water rather chilly at best, and my route crosses one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world with around 600 commercial ship movements each day. The precise timing will be determined by the tidal conditions and weather. I hoped that you might be interested in my endeavor and will consider sponsoring me http://www.justgiving.com/robdeakin
Swan Lake
Despite certain Parisian waiters’ attempts to persuade me otherwise, I have always rather liked France and consider swimming there to be a superb challenge. In December 2006, I contacted the Channel Swimming and Pilot’s Federation and booked a support boat for an attempt this summer.
Subsequently I spent much of the winter training upwards of six times a week with Otter swimming club, as well as splashing with the swans in the Serpentine (Hyde Park). In April, I went on a Channel Swimming ‘Boot Camp’ in Malta which culminated in conquering the Channel 6-hour cold water qualifying swim. This is to say nothing of a sustained campaign to eat more than an average sized family and taking enough Ibroprofen to kill a small horse.
Yes, General
Since the beginning of May I have been ripping up and down Dover harbour every weekend, narrowly avoiding hovercraft and hypothermia but rarely avoiding the stern words and furrowed brow of the ‘Channel General’, Freda Streeter. Freda has been coaching aspiring channel swimmers for the last twenty years and there are no excuses she has not heard many time before (ominously, “my arms are falling off” is one of the more common).
An unlikely looking General, Freda Streeter, Channel Trainer (Photo: Nick Adams)
Directing operations from her deckchair on the beach, the General draws upon her cigarette and informs swimmers of their fate for the day. “6 hours, you will do”, she said on Saturday without bothering to look up. Using her vast experience, the General does not tell you what is expected until you are changed into your Speedos – thus discouraging swimmers from beating a retreat to their cars and escaping home.
After a brief delay for Vaseline greasing, a group of about 40 swimmers tiptoed into the water sporting numbered caps and quite possibly wondering whether they would end the day with their sanity in tact.
The start of a 6 hour 20km swim, Dover harbour on Saturday. We repeated the same swim on Sunday
“What do you think about?“ is one of the most frequently asked questions.
Thankfully, there are a number of things to ponder other than the more obvious candidates such as, “my my, that’s a very large ferry advancing in this direction”. For example, I sometime wonder what the French are going to do if the newly elected Nicolas Sarkozy actually tries to reform anything, or worse does anything which remotely impacts French farmers or increases working hours. It would, after all, be very disappointing to swim 95% of the way to France to discover the ports blockaded and the French coast line besieged with crazed rioters. I’m sure this won’t happen, but coming up with a suitable response kills some time.
Allons-y
I intend to provide further updates leading up to the end of July, replete with more competitions and prizes. I hope that you are interested and will consider donating to Cancer Research’s vital work – more details of this can be found below.
Best wishes,
Rob Deakin
Cancer Research Purpose and Vision
- We carry out world-class research to improve our understanding of cancer and find out how to prevent, diagnose and treat different kinds of cancer
- We ensure that our findings are used to improve the lives of all cancer patients
- We help people to understand cancer, the progress we are making and the choices each person can make
- We work in partnership with others to achieve the greatest impact in the global fight against cancer
To find out more please go to http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/aboutus/
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