42mileswim Team successfully cross the English Channel!

2.30am on Wednesday 5th September. Looking out of the window I could see lights on in a neighbouring caravan where another team were preparing for their crossing. It was an exciting time for us all.

We were on our way to Folkestone Harbour by 3.30am. There we met our Channel Swimming Association official observer, Keith Jeffries.

We unloaded a mountain of equipment (enough to last us a week!) by the harbour, then we were rowed across and on to out boat, the Viking Princess, piloted by the hugely experienced Reg and Ray Brickell. (I’ve been told that Reg and Ray were there before the Channel!).

We were given a safety briefing by Keith, and everything was explained to us about the swim itself. We then started the 30 minute journey out to Samphire Hoe where we would begin our swim.

Jamie Page was our first swimmer. He looked a little nervous as he prepared to enter the English Channel for the first time. Ray accompanied him into the beach, in his dinghy. We could just see the green light sticks glowing on Jamie’s trunks and behind his goggles as he stood on the pebbles at Shamphire Hoe and raised his arm ready to start. The horn sounded on the Viking Princess and we were off!

Swim order for the challenge was Jamie Page, Nick Gabriel, Phill Burgess, Alan Hancock, James Mouland and James Stuart. Water temperature was 17-18 degrees.

Each was understandably nervous as they entered the water for their first swim. They each experienced highs and lows, and it was true that 80% of the swim is psychological. Never-the-less, each swimmer got in and did their bit. Some of them really had to increase their effort if we were to avoid tides and make the journey. I did wonder, half way across the Channel, why on earth anyone would want to do this!

By the time James M was in for his second hour at 3.05pm, it looked like he would be the one to land us on French soil! It was a hugely exciting time, and a real high point in the challenge. We were on target to hit Cap Gris Nez. Ray escorted James in the dinghy, and there were quite a few people on the cliffs watching James swim in. We cheered loudly from the boat, and saw James being washed up onto the sharp rocks on the Cap. Time 4.04pm – 10 hours 59 minutes! The horn sounded, then we were off again and heading back to England!

It was an emotional moment and there were a few tears. James M swam back towards the boat, and James S got in for his second swim. Fortunately for James S we weren’t just doing a one way crossing as he would only have had one swim!

The team continued to take their turns. Each over-coming different problems on the way. Some had muscle strains, others suffered from the cold, a few felt a little queasy. Fortunately none of the swimmers were sea sick, that was left to the support crew, who really weren’t very well at all! We were told we had a calm crossing. I don’t think we want to know what a rough crossing would be like!

The team swam through the night, with their green light sticks glowing, and swimming inside the light arc from the boat which seemed to be attracting the fish!

We were fortunate in that no-one was stung by any jellyfish, although they did see a few, and James M reported seeing many as he was trying to land in France. There were no signs of any ‘sewage’, and only a little seaweed every so often, and the odd lifejacket.

We could see the lights at Dover for some time, but they didn’t seem to be getting any closer. We’d hit strong currents and for at least 2 hours the swimmers weren’t making any progress, which was very disheartening. It was hard work and each swimmer had to put in 110%, maximum effort, to overcome the currents.
We raced against the clock as we tried desperately to land in England. Time was running out and we were in danger of being swept off towards the North Sea and not landing at all.

Nick pushed it, and after an hour of swimming his socks off, he successfully touched down at Samphire Hoe at 7.04am, 15 hours after leaving France, and 25 hours 59 minutes after leaving England.

We’d made it! We’d successfully crossed the English Channel, and back again!

We were thrilled, and exhausted. Nick came back in the dinghy and we all congratulated each other.

We headed back to Folkestone Harbour where we had to climb out of the boat up a rusty old vertical ladder (eek!), and hoist our equipment up on a rope, before heading off for breakfast, then back to Varne Ridge Caravan Park. We were greeted with the sight of the Union Jack flying in our honour, and the excited proprietors, Evelyn and David, who’d also put up banners on our caravans to welcome us back!

After freshening up with a shower, and grabbing forty winks, we had photos taken with Evelyn and David, more photos with the White Cliffs of Dover in the background, then opened a bottle of bubbly to celebrate our success!

What a fantastic 24 hours we’d just had. It was much tougher than we thought, although we had been warned. There were things I’d do differently next time, both in the training, and on the boat. But we all learnt from this fantastic experience, and we have had such support as we have prepared for the challenge.

Our families have had to put up with hours of training and weekends away. We have had much help and information from swimmers who’ve already crossed the Channel and were happy to share their experiences, which was invaluable. We had support and help from David and Evelyn. Reg and Ray were fantastic pilots and got us there and back safely. Keith instructed us clearly on what was needed so we could comply with Channel Swimming Association rules and be recognised as a successful relay crossing.

So far we have received over £7,000 in donations for Marie Curie Cancer Care, together with many messages of support for the team. This in itself has made such a huge difference, knowing that people are thinking about us and willing us to succeed! If you would like to make a donation, please see the Justgiving link on this site. You can also see photos of our crossing.

Thank you to all for your support, but especially WELL DONE boys, you did a FANTASTIC job, and I was soooo proud to have been involved in your training and preparation.

Karen

42mileswim Team successfully crossed the English Channel!

2.30am on Wednesday 5th September. Looking out of the caravan window I could see lights on in a neighbouring caravan where another team were preparing for their crossing. It was an exciting time for us all.

We were on our way to Folkestone Harbour by 3.30am. There we met our Channel Swimming Association official observer, Keith Jeffries. It was very dark, and still.

We unloaded a mountain of equipment (enough to last us a week!) by the harbour, then we were rowed across and on to out boat, the Viking Princess, piloted by the hugely experienced Reg and Ray Brickell. (I’ve been told that Reg and Ray were there before the Channel!).

We were given a safety briefing by Keith, and everything was explained to us about the swim itself. We then started the 30 minute journey out to Samphire Hoe where we would begin our swim.

Jamie Page was our first swimmer. He looked a little nervous as he prepared to enter the English Channel for the first time. Ray accompanied him into the beach, in his dinghy. We could just see the green light sticks glowing on Jamie’s trunks and back of his head as he stood on the pebbles at Shamphire Hoe and raised his arm ready to start. The horn sounded on the Viking Princess and we were off!

Swim order for the challenge was Jamie Page, Nick Gabriel, Phill Burgess, Alan Hancock, James Mouland and James Stuart.

Each was understandably nervous as they entered the water for their first swim. They each experienced highs and lows, and it was true that 80% of the swim is psychological. Never-the-less, each swimmer got in and did their bit. Some of them really had to increase their effort if we were to avoid tides and make the journey. I did wonder, half way across the Channel, why on earth anyone would want to do this!

By the time James M was in for his second hour at 3.05pm, it looked like he would be the one to land us on French soil! It was a hugely exciting time, and a real high point in the challenge. We were on target to hit Cap Gris Nez. Ray escorted James in the dinghy, and there were quite a few people on the cliffs watching James swim in. We cheered loudly from the boat, and saw James being washed up onto the sharp rocks on the Cap. Time 4.04pm – 10 hours 59 minutes! The horn sounded, then we were off again and heading back to England!

It was an emotional moment and there were a few tears. James M swam back towards the boat, and James S got in for his second swim. Fortunately for James S we weren’t just doing a one way crossing as he would only have had one swim!

The team continued to take their turns. Each over-coming different problems on the way. Some had muscle strains, others suffered from the cold, a few felt a little queasy. Fortunately none of the swimmers were sea sick, that was left to the support crew, who really weren’t very well at all! We were told we had a calm crossing. I don’t think we want to know what a rough crossing would be like!

The team swam through the night, with their green light sticks glowing, and swimming inside the light arc from the boat which seemed to be attracting the fish!

We were fortunate in that no-one was stung by any jellyfish, although they did see a few, and James M reported seeing many as he was trying to land in France. There were no signs of any ‘sewage’, and only a little seaweed every so often, and the odd lifejacket.

We could see the lights at Dover for some time, but they didn’t seem to be getting any closer. We’d hit strong currents and for at least 2 hours the swimmers weren’t making any progress, which was very disheartening.

It was hard work and each swimmer had to put in 110%, maximum effort, to overcome the currents.

We raced against the clock as we tried desperately to land in England. Time was running out and we were in danger of being swept off towards the North Sea and not landing at all.

Nick pushed it, and after an hour of swimming his socks off, he successfully touched down at Samphire Hoe at 7.04am, 15 hours after leaving France, and 25 hours 59 minutes after leaving England.

We’d made it! We’d successfully crossed the English Channel, and back again!

We were thrilled, and exhausted. Nick came back in the dinghy and we all congratulated each other.

We headed back to Folkestone Harbour where we had to climb out of the boat up a rusty old vertical ladder (eek!), and hoist our equipment up on a rope, before heading off for breakfast, then back to Varne Ridge Caravan Park. We were greeted with the sight of the Union Jack flying in our honour, and the excited proprietors, Evelyn and David, who’d also put up banners on our caravans to welcome us back!

After freshening up with a shower, and grabbing forty winks, we had photos taken with Evelyn and David, more photos with the White Cliffs of Dover in the background, then opened a bottle of bubbly to celebrate our success!

What a fantastic 24 hours we’d just had. It was much tougher than we thought, although we had been warned. There were things I’d do differently next time, both in the training, and on the boat. But we all learnt from this fantastic experience, and we have had such support as we have prepared for the challenge.

Our families have had to put up with hours of training and weekends away. We have had much help and information from swimmers who’ve already crossed the Channel and were happy to share their experiences, which was invaluable. We had support and help from David and Evelyn. Reg and Ray were fantastic pilots and got us there and back safely. Keith instructed us clearly on what was needed so we could comply with Channel Swimming Association rules and be recognised as a successful relay crossing.

So far we have received over £7,000 in donations for Marie Curie Cancer Care, together with many messages of support for the team. This in itself has made such a huge difference, knowing that people are thinking about us and willing us to succeed! If you would like to make a donation, please see the Justgiving link on this site. You can also see photos of our crossing, just click on ‘Photos’.

Thank you to all for your support, but especially WELL DONE boys, you did a FANTASTIC job, and I was soooo proud to have been involved in your training and preparation.

Karen