Just to update you on our July training weekend at Budleigh on Sat/Sun 21/22 July.

The guys swam 5 x 1 hours each. Approx times are:

Session 1: Sat - 11.15am - 12.20pm – Calm sea conditions.
Session 2: Sat - 4.35pm - 5.35pm – A little more choppy.
Session 3: Sat - 10.30pm - 11.20pm – Fun in the dark!
Session 4: Sun - 7.30am - 8.30am – Very cold! The worst session of the weekend!
Session 5: Sun 12.30pm - 1.35pm – Very choppy (Force 5) – interesting swimming!

I managed to join them for Session 2, and then Session 5. My mum died of cancer on the Thursday (19th July), which makes this challenge all the more important to me now. I wasn't up to taking notes etc, so just got in and swam with them, which was great. All were in good spirits when I saw them - even after Session 5!

Phill and James S even went for a 1 hour cycle after Session 2!

They enjoyed the night swim, and did 50 mins. Andrew was in his kayak with white and orange light sticks, the others had green light sticks on trunks or hats. My neighbour was fishing and wondered what was going on!

The guys said the sea was cold (15c?), and all took up to an hour to warm up afterwards.

Sea conditions varied. Probably the worst was on Sunday afternoon when it was Force 5 (according to James S) and very choppy. I must admit I gave up after 45 mins as I was fed up with being thrown around, but the guys stayed in for their hour. In fact Nick came out buzzing - so if we hit the choppy bit when we land in France, he's our man!

Training for the next coming weeks will consist of intense training of 12-15k over a few days, normally an hour or two at a time, so that each swimmer is physically prepared to swim for 5 hours in a 24-30 hour period.

So far we have raised just under £2,000 in donations for Marie Curie Cancer Care, but still have a long way to go. If anyone would like to make a donation, please see the link on this website. Thank you.

Karen Gutans
Swimming Coach