Over the Bounding Main

Video from the Channel

2010-12-10T01:30:00.000-05:00

Footage from the first leg of my 2-way channel attempt by Dave Mak.

Twittering across the channel

2010-09-20T09:12:00.003-04:00

I'm not much of a twitter-er, but I have to admit that it was great to keep everyone updated while I swim. Two years ago we only had a mobile with a dead battery. My crew made calls to Tony back in London, who then updated my blog. This time we had smart phones with GPS and cameras. We'll be twittering video on the next swim.

Here are the twitter updates that Dave sent out while I was swimming. It's nice to have this record of what was happening while I was swimming.

9:54 AM Aug 7th

Swim will start approx 10 pm BST tonight. Swimmer and crew are napping before the long haul to France & back

4:12 PM Aug 7th

Dori is in her swim costume and her crew are on the Seafarer II

6:58 PM Aug 7th

Tough swimming at night in lumpy waters.

7:20 PM Aug 7th

Dori is a trooper. Current location.

7:44 PM Aug 7th

Into the SW shipping lane.

8:52 PM Aug 7th

just finished a feeding. she's keeping it down. needs to be warmer

9:43 PM Aug 7th

Just had her feeding in the separation zone about 10 minutes ago.

9:48 PM Aug 7th

gps fail...

9:50 PM Aug 7th

Where are we?

10:17 PM Aug 7th

Halfway point. In the northeast shipping lane. She ask for vitamin I on next feed.

August 7, 2010 10:33:28 PM EDT

Meteor shower and moon slivers in the night sky as Dori swims.

August 7, 2010 11:15:35 PM EDT

16.5C water temp and 15C air temps. @mattcoarr asked. Watching the moon reappear.

August 7, 2010 11:31:51 PM EDT

Sky is getting brighter!

August 7, 2010 11:34:59 PM EDT

Seas getting heavier. Was calmer for a few hours at least.

August 8, 2010 12:02:45 AM EDT

first picture!

August 8, 2010 12:16:03 AM EDT

our expert and supremely helpful CSPF observers. Many thanks for the advice!

August 8, 2010 12:42:03 AM EDT

Shoulder hurts. Tired. Not fun...

August 8, 2010 1:02:40 AM EDT

had to maneuver around this bouy. She's getting coke and vu with her medicine next.

August 8, 2010 2:02:09 AM EDT

French coast near, choppy / lumpy seas. Swallowed some water.

August 8, 2010 2:49:07 AM EDT

Last feeding of Percy pigglets and jelly belly's was a success! Chases of diluted gu (plain) wasn't as enthusiastically consumed.

August 8, 2010 2:50:45 AM EDT

Jane reports a water temp of a balmy 17.8C

August 8, 2010 2:54:02 AM EDT

epic wind day, if you were sailing a sailboat...

August 8, 2010 3:53:52 AM EDT

10:38:30 to France!

August 8, 2010 4:22:35 AM EDT

swimming back to Dover after a two donuts break, eaten in the water after clearing the lobster pots near store.

August 8, 2010 4:23:49 AM EDT

she says this is harder than Watson bay!

August 8, 2010 6:56:04 AM EDT

After about 13 hrs Dori shoulder just was better. We all decided it was best to save for future swims. We are all proud of yet amazing swim!

August 8, 2010 7:07:13 AM EDT

Dori is deeply touched by everyone's comments and encouragement. Thank you! Sorry for the typos courtesy of @makattack

August 9, 2010 5:23:31 PM EDT

Thank you to my ace crew, Dave and Tony, pilot Chris and his crew and observers Jane and Gary. It was a great experience. I will be back!

Fundraising awesomeness

2010-08-04T10:33:00.000-04:00

I am happy to let everyone know that I've raised $3310 to date for the Michael J. Fox Foundation. Thank you everyone for donating, forwarding my fundraising efforts to your friends and sending messages of support. Good onya!!!

Swimmers Who Lunch

2010-08-03T19:05:00.000-04:00

I am still waiting for the official word from my pilot on my swim date. I talked with him on Sunday morning and he thought that Thursday was had the best tides and weather.

In the meantime, I've been in taper mode since arriving in Dover a week ago. A typical day of a channel swimmer (or me at least) waiting to swim looks like this: eat a big English breakfast, go for a swim, have lunch, walk around town, take a nap and go for dinner. As it gets closer to my swim date the swims get shorter and the chats get longer. We are swimmers who lunch.

Dover is a special place. Channel swimmers come from around the world to swim to the not-so-distant French shore. On a clear day you can see the white cliffs on the other side of the channel. It has been great hanging out and swimming with friends Laura, Vasanti, Sam and Cliff, whom I met my last visit to Dover. This tide seems to be the Aussie tide. I've met more channel swimmers in Dover than I did in Oz.

Can you spot the Brit?

Vasanti and Dori after a swim

Showing off our muscles and a few guts: Dori, Jeff, Laura, Sam and Ted

Hamden High School alumni Dori and Cindy Walsh

The first few days in Dover

2010-07-31T19:49:00.001-04:00

After an 8-hour flight, 9-hour layover in Singapore and another 12-hour flight, I arrived in London on Sunday. I spend a day in London shopping, going to the National Gallery, running errands and having dinner with Tony (my crew).

On Tuesday I took the high speed train to Dover. I am staying at the Victoria Guest House with Bill and Audrey. I am in the same room I had in 2008.

Dover from my bedroom window.

Every morning I go down to the beach to swim to swim for 1-2 hours to loosen up and keep in shape.

Laura and Dori on Dover Beach.

Dover Beach at low tide.

Dover pebbles.

Looking through the harbour walls with a ferry and France in the background.

Interestingly, I came all the way to England and met Aussies from Sydney. We've been training in the harbour and chatting at the walls.

Dave (my crew), me and Aussies Steve and Jeff.

Dover weather forecast

2010-07-30T04:35:00.001-04:00

I met with Chris, my pilot on Tuesday. The weather is looking good. There's a high pressure system coming in. We could go this weekend, but will wait until mid week if the weather is going to get better.

Weather forecast through 1st August

Early long distance workouts

2010-07-22T06:46:00.000-04:00

Questions from a 9-year old

2010-07-20T08:06:00.000-04:00

A few days ago I received a message from my old swimming friend Kris. We swam together in age group meets in Connecticut. Kris' 9-year old son, Ethan has taken an interest in my swim and has a few questions about channel swimming.

Ethan wants to know:

1) How much weight do you expect to lose on your swim?
I don't know exactly how much weight I will loose. My guess is a 3-5 pounds. To have enough energy to keep swimming for such a long time, I will need to get 500-800 calories an hour.

2) What stroke are you swimming?
I will swim freestyle.

3) How do you swim at night? Do you get tired?
A double channel crossing will take at least 24 hours so I will have to swim at night. When I did my solo swim in 2008, I started at 3:30 p.m. and finished at 2:30 a.m. in France. It was very dark and I could not see the French shore until I was a few hundred yards away. All I could see was my boat and the lights from the ferries and the lighthouse at Cap Gris Nez France.

I attach glow sticks to the back of my suit and goggle straps so my crew can see me in the dark. I swim next to my escort boat. I rely on the boat to guide me because I can't see anything in the dark.

Swimming at night during my 2008 English Channel swim

I do get tired and my arms get sore, but I keep swimming until the next time my crew feeds me. Then I can have a short rest before swimming again.

4) Are you scared about sharks?
I am not worried about sharks in the English Channel. I think the water is probably too cold for them.

When I first moved to Australia a year ago, I was nervous about swimming in the ocean because of sharks. The only shark I have seen was a Port Jackson shark which is considered harmless to humans. I knew that it was a harmless shark so I stopped to watch it for a while.

5) How and what do you eat?
To keep swimming for such a long time I need to eat a lot. But it is hard to stop to eat in the water so I mostly have high calorie drinks. I mix a carbohydrate powder into juice or tea. Having warm drinks helps to keep me warm. I also eat nutrition bars or bananas. Sometimes my crew rewards me with a candy bar.

I am not allowed to get out of the water or touch the boat during my swim or I will be disqualified. My crew throws me a water bottle tied to a rope. For other snacks, they hold a basket tied to a pole over the side so I can reach in and get the food.

Feeding time during the South Head Roughwater 10K, Sydney

Thank you for your questions, Ethan. Good luck in your open water swim and triathlon! And here's a photo of your mom and I in 1986.

Maastricht 1986

Erietta's Top Ten Questions about Channel Swimming

2010-07-09T01:27:00.002-04:00

My friend Erietta (pictured at right with her Hotel William meet raffle winnings) wanted to do a video interview with me about my channel swim. I politely declined, but agreed to answer her questions on my blog.

Questions I want to see answered in Dori's blog.

1. Who pays?
Although I have won money in marathon swims, it is not a lucrative hobby. In the past I have paid for my swims. Hiring a boat, pilot and crew to escort you is the biggest expense in this sport as well as travel costs if you like to swim in far away locations. I am lucky to have Bondi Icebergs Club help support my double channel swim.

2. Why are you swimming the channel exactly?
I like to have to challenges and set a goal and work towards it. When I swam the Channel in 2008, I was surprised when I reached France. It was pitch black and I couldn't see the shore until I was a few hundred yards out. I could have kept swimming if I had to. When I started thinking about my next big swim, I decided to go back to the Channel to see how far I really could go.

3. How long have you been swimming?
I learned to swim at the YMCA when I was little, maybe 5 years old. I loved to play in the pool. I didn't start swimming competitively until I was 11. I thought that swimming wouldn't be fun if I had to do it. When I was competing in college, it was a lot of pressure. I didn't swim for 11 years afterwards. When I started swimming with Masters I realised that swimming was fun again.

4. How long will it take to swim from England to France AND BACK?
I will probably be swimming for 24 hours, at least. A lot depends on the tides and weather conditions.

5. What will you eat on your swim?
I mostly drink my nutrition during my swim. My crew is in charge of feeding me. They mix carbohydrate powder and Gu into things like peppermint tea or gatorade. During my Lake George marathon swim my crew gave me flat coke with a vanilla Gu. That tasted so good. I also eat other things like bananas. The salt water kills my taste buds so most things have no taste after a while. Hopefully I will be able to keep my feedings down this time.

6. How many Ks do you swim a day?
I swim between 4-15 Ks a day. Some mornings I can get in 6-7Ks before work. I do my long swims on weekends, usually 4-5 hours.

7. Will you wear a wet suit?
No, just a regular cossie. Wetsuits are not permitted according to "Channel rules:"
No swimmer in a standard attempt to swim the Channel shall be permitted to use or wear any device or swimsuit that may aid his/her speed, buoyancy, heat retention or endurance (such as wetsuit, webbed gloves, paddles, fins, etc). The swimmer is permitted to grease the body before a swim, use goggles and one hat. Nose clips and earplugs are permitted. -- Channel Swimming & Piloting Federation

8. What will motivate you on your swim? Or will you just zone out?
I find the first hour or so is the hardest because my mind is racing. After a while my body and mind get used to the rhythm of swimming. Sometimes I do zone out and time goes weird. Sometimes I feel like the mind is totally clear and focused. Sometimes I sing the same song over and over. I watch the crew on the boat for entertainment.

9. What do you eat while training? Don't lie. I am sitting opposite you. Chocolate and carbs.
I pretty much each anything I want. This morning I had two bowls of pasta for breakfast and I was still hungry. Full cream milk, cheese, ice cream and whipped cream are also good for adding extra insulation.

10. Is peeing while you swim and getting that warm feeling the best thing that will happen to you on your epic challenge?
I hope that successfully swimming all the way back to Dover and receiving a hero's welcome would be the best thing, this would be a close second. And not puking too much.

oh, one more... 11. do you have a coach?
I don't have a English Channel coach. I train with two teams and those coaches have been very supportive and helpful during my training. Angelo Basalo and Gai Campbell at Cranbrook Eastern Edge and Kevin Porter at North Sydney Masters have helped me improve my fitness over the past year. I also have a few friends back home who are experienced Channel swimmers and are a great source of inspiration and advice. The Channel swimming community is a great bunch of like minded nutters.

Countdown to Dover

2010-06-30T02:32:00.002-04:00

Hard to believe that in 30 days I will be back in Dover for another English Channel swim (knock on wood). This time I will be attempting a double crossing of the English Channel by swimming from England to France and back to England.

White Cliffs, Dover England

After taking some time off from training after my channel swim in August 2008, I struggled to find motivation to keep training. I didn't swim for a month after I got out of the water in France. It was a few more months before I was able to make it through a whole workout. Amazing how I could swim 10 hours one day, but not be able to swim for an hour in workout the next.

By the time I moved to Sydney last July, I was ready for a new challenge. I decided to take on the challenge of a double channel swim to give myself something to work towards and help ease into a new life down under. Maybe 'ease' isn't the right word to describe training for the Channel, but it definitely keeps me busy.

Training has had it's ups and downs the past year, but I feel really strong and ready to go. I am looking forward to seeing the other channel swimmers on the beach in Dover, drinking a pint at the White Horse and enjoying the Northern Hemisphere summer.

Ain't nothin' better than your own backyard

2010-05-18T04:31:00.004-04:00

Since moving to Sydney 10 months ago, I've been able to enjoy some of the greatest swimming spots, all in my own backyard. Living a block from Bondi Beach means I only have to walk a few minutes to swim laps across the world famous beach while backpackers on holiday bake to a bright red in the sun. I break up my laps to dive and play with fish that I have only seen in aquariums.

Bondi Beach

Now that it has turned to winter, I have been spending more time at the Bondi Icebergs club. This 50 meter ocean pool has a great view. While swimming laps I can look over the edge and watch the surfers catch waves. Laps get increasingly challenging with the high tide as the waves crash over the sides of the pool. I have on more than one occasion ended up in the next lane.

Sunday races at Bondi Icebergs

Still winter...

2009-02-19T14:08:00.003-05:00

The mountains said I could find you here
They whispered the snow and the leaves in my ear
I traced my finger along your trails
Your body was the map, I was lost in it

--"Your Rocky Spine," Great Lake Swimmers

American Falls, Niagara, NY

Pay no attention to the giant feline

Mt. Mansfield, VT

Gondola at Stowe, VT

Apres Ski, Stowe

Winter in Michigan

2009-01-24T18:20:00.002-05:00

My heart's in the ice house come hill or come valley
Like a long ago Sunday when I walked through the alley
On a cold winter's morning to a church house
just to shovel some snow

--John Prine,Bruised Orange (Chain of Sorrows)

The Mighty Mac and Lakes Huron and Michigan

Riding the chairlift

Favorite run

St. Louis Blues

2009-01-12T19:19:00.005-05:00

"I hate to see that evening sun go down
I hate to see that evening sun go down
'Cause, my baby, he's gone left this town

Feelin' tomorrow like I feel today
If I'm feelin' tomorrow like I feel today
I'll pack my truck and make my give-a-way"

--St. Louis Blues, W.C. Handy

Photos from Albuquerque, New Mexico, St. Louis, Missouri and Ocequeoc, Michigan.

!Ay, Caramba!

So many sombreros, so little time.

Old Towne Albuquerque

St. Louis Arch

Downtown St. Louis from the top of the Arch

Christmas presents

Making snow angels

Lake Huron, northern Michigan

Get Your Kicks

2008-12-21T23:12:00.005-05:00

Would you get hip to this kindly tip
And go take that California trip
Get your kicks on Route 66

Well goes from St. Louie down to Missouri
Oklahoma city looks oh so pretty
You'll see Amarillo and Gallup, New Mexico
Flagstaff, Arizona don't forget Winona
Kingman, Barstow, San Bernadino

--Bobby Troup, "(Get Your Kicks On) Route 66"

Snow outside Barstow, CA

Cafe on Route 66, Winslow, Arizona

Route 66, Winslow, Arizona

Grand Canyon, South Rim

Grand Canyon in Winter

Snowman, Grand Canyon

Twin Arrows, Arizona

Petrified Forest, Arizona

I Left My Heart...

2008-12-17T14:40:00.007-05:00

"It seemed like a matter of minutes when we began rolling in the foothills before Oakland and suddenly reached a height and saw stretched out ahead of us the fabulous white city of San Francisco on her eleven mystic hills with the blue Pacific and its advancing wall of potato-patch fog beyond, and smoke and goldenness of the late afternoon of time."
-- Jack Kerouac, On the Road, Part 2, Ch. 9

Lombard Street, San Francisco

San Francisco treat

Alcatraz and beyond

Swimming at Cal

Crossing the Bay Bridge

Trying to get the last drop

Hustled at Blooms Saloon

#2 (Double double, fries and a coke)

Arizona and California

2008-12-12T01:43:00.005-05:00

Hair blowing in the hot wind,
Time hanging from a clothespin
There's no sorrow that the sun's not gonna heal
I smell the leather of your new car
Drive through the desert after nightfall
Sleep on the shoulder, keep the stars all to ourselves
--Conor Oberst, "Sausalito"

T For Texas

2008-12-10T00:04:00.010-05:00

You may all go to Hell, and I will go to Texas.
--Davey Crocket

Congress Street bridge, Austin, Texas

Texas State Capital

Remember the Alamo

Riverwalk, San Antonio

New friend

US-10, West Texas

West Texas

Riding the Stagecoach

Walking the Line

Horsing around

Near Marfa Texas

Carlsbad Caverns, NM

Artesia, NM

That's Right (You're Not From Texas)

2008-12-03T12:11:00.006-05:00

You say you're not from Texas
Man as if I couldn't tell
You think you pull your boots on right
And wear your hat so well
--Lyle Lovett

When I crossed the state line into Texas, the sign read: "El Paso 857 miles." I stopped to visit running friends in Houston and Austin. Next stop, the Alamo.

Historic Bastrop, TX

Burrito 1, Monkey 0

Stevie Ray Vaughn, Austin, TX

Before...

After

Live music at the Saxon Pub, Austin

The Big Easy

2008-12-03T00:31:00.007-05:00

Oak Alley Plantation on the Great River Road, Vacherie, Louisiana

Evacuation Route, LA 18, St James Parish

Visiting the Mayfair Witches

Lafayette #1 Cemetery, Garden District, New Orleans

City of the Dead

Bourbon Street

Swing in Jackson Square, Garden District, New Orleans

Chocolate Pecan Pie

Beignets and Cafe Au Lait at Cafe Du Monde, New Orleans

Cable Car Public Art

Monkey's Evil Twin

Royal Street, French Quarter

2008-12-01T01:02:00.004-05:00

Don't Monkey with the Monkey

2008-11-30T10:43:00.007-05:00

I have a travel companion. His name is Monkey. I bought this little guy in Brugges for my friend's son, Gabe. When I gave Gabe the Monkey, his eyes lit up, he grabbed it and put Monkey's foot in his mouth.

When I stopped to see my friend Karlin and Gabe on my first day of my road trip, they gave me Monkey to take with me. I had instructions to take photos of Monkey's journey. Here's Monkey's journey so far. Today Monkey and I are going to Bourbon Street.

Monkey in his natural habitat

Monkey going over the Tappan Zee bridge and the Hudson River

Monkey's first checkup at the dentist in Salisbury, MD (Apparently Monkey doesn't have teeth)

Monkey refused to swim across the Chesapeake Bay so we took the Bay Bridge

Too early for the Inauguration

Monkey with the Reflecting Pool and Wahington Monument

Monkey chillin' with a cup of coffee in Asheville, NC

At the Biltmore

Hello Kitty in Alabama

Amen!

Chickamuaga Battlefield, Georgia

Monument on the Chickamuaga battlefield

A Chance Meeting with the King

2008-11-29T23:18:00.004-05:00

Driving to New Orleans today, I stumbled across royalty. In Meridian, Mississippi, I went looking for Jimmie Rodgers, but found the King and Queen of the Gypsies.

As I was driving through town, I noticed a cemetery on the side of the hill. It was not the kind of cemetery with neat, compact rows of chiseled granite (although there were some newer stones). These marble stones were worn and weathered and arranged in a more organic layout. I knew this graveyard had potential so I stopped to look around.

At the top of the hill there was a marble cross with a large marble slab at its base. The inscription read, "Queen of the Gypsies." From the cross hung mardi gras beads and small plastic coin purse. Other gifts included an empty bottle, a plastic Ronald McDonald figure, a packet of raspberry jelly, glass beads, lots of coins, a framed photo of the Queen, a guitar pick, a single large hoop earring and a ring with a big plastic purple stone. Next to the Queen there were the markers for the King of the Gypsies and Sister to the King.

This is rom an article published in the Meridian Star, A royal burial by Anne McKee:

The year is 1915 and the sudden death of beloved Gypsy Queen Callie Mitchell brought an estimated 20,000 people to the Deep South and the small southern town of Meridian to attend her funeral and burial.

The Queen of the Gypsies of America and her tribe were camped near Meridian when the Queen died during the delivery of a child. The chance location of a Meridian Funeral home and the Episcopal Church, which was equipped and willing to conduct the services for larger numbers of her people, plus Rose Hill Cemetery, a well-maintained and historic location even in the year of 1915, all played important roles in making the decision.

Gone to Carolina

2008-11-27T23:44:00.009-05:00

I spent Thanksgiving in Asheville, NC. It took a little while, but I found the only place in town that was open and I had a turkey sandwich on a croissant. Then I went to the Vanderbilts' Biltmore, which is decorated with Christmas decorations. From there I drove through the mountains to Chattanooga, TN.

Asheville cafe

World's slowest gas pump and "it doesn't matter if you go a little over."

Route 74, Southwestern North Carolina

Thanksgiving wouldn't be the same without all the fireworks.

A Toast on the Cap

2008-08-14T03:43:00.010-04:00

On Tuesday we said our goodbyes to Bill and Audrey at the Victoria Guest House and wished Liz and George and their crews good luck while they waited out the weather for their swims. Dave, Heather and I took the ferry to Calais, a much shorter trip than our previous crossing.

The Connecticut Crew (Dori, George and Liz) with Audrey and Bill at the Victoria Guest House in Dover

Leaving Dover by ferry this time

White Cliffs north of Dover harbour

Dave, our beer sherpa

On Wednesday morning, we set off in our Ford Fiesta rental car to see Cap Gris Nez in the daylight. We drove through many cute French towns on our way to the Cap. We stopped for lunch of mussels and pomme frites. We bought a bottle of local beer called 2 Caps (named after Cap Blanc Nez and Cap Gris Nez) to take with us the Cap for a celebratory toast.

The French coast

When we got to the Cap, we had to wait out a brief sun shower at the lighthouse. I had heard from one of the ferry operators that 50 MPH winds were expected. They weren't kidding! We later found out that the ferries were suspended that day.

Blown Away

Celebrating at the Cap

Rocky shoreline under the lighthouse, approximately where I finished my swim

Video of Channel Swim

2008-08-10T12:35:00.002-04:00

Viva la France

2008-08-09T00:15:00.001-04:00

Thanks for all the messages! I made it to France, to the light house, in 10:13 or 10:16. I left some skin on the rocks for good measure. I was seasick about 3 hours in and left some snacks for the gulls and fishes. Felt much better after that. Crew was seasick with me. I am safe and happy. A good hot bath is in order.

Thanks so much to Chris and his crew and my crew for sticking it out with me when the going got tough and we all had our doubts. Thanks to everyone I met on the beach this week, Freda, Barry, Irene, Louise and Cliff, Bill and Audrey at the Victoria Guest House and the Connecticut crew.

Now I know a little something about the Channel and I'm looking forward to taking the ferry next time.

I forgot who told me about the peppermint tea this week... it was my savior.

Cheers,
Dori

2359 GMT

2008-08-08T20:21:00.002-04:00

Email to Channel Group from Michael Oram:

'Just Chris taking Dori & Dave Whyte taking Kevin Anderson left now I think..Both in the North East lane when I last heard.'

Excellent news that Dori is still out there.

Sorry I can't be more specific. No direct contact with the crew. Will post news when I have it.

Tony

2001 GMT

2008-08-08T16:32:00.002-04:00

Email from Michael Oram

'Chris (Dori) are WNW of Dover just about to enter the Separation zone.'

The Separation Zone is basically the middle of the Channel that separates the two shipping lanes so Dori is doing really well.

Sorry that I don't have any more info at the moment but communication by cell/mobile is touch and go half way across.

Tony

1856 GMT

2008-08-08T16:24:00.002-04:00

Report from crew

Dori OK but a little sea sick.

Tony

Swimming the English Channel... TODAY!!!

2008-08-08T06:04:00.001-04:00

I thought I would be posting photos from our little hike along the White Cliffs yesterday. But, it turns out that today I am going to swim the English Channel!! I forgot to set my alarm clock so Dave woke me at 9am with a note that Chris, my pilot had called. I called Chris over breakfast and he said that there a small window of good weather today.

We will be setting off from Samphire Hoe at 2:30 pm BST. There are northwesterly winds today so they will be at my back and hopefully giving me a little push to France.

Hopefully 8.8.08 will be my lucky day.

On A Clear Day

2008-08-06T18:01:00.011-04:00

Today was the nicest day since I arrived in Dover a week ago. A few relays and solo swimmers went out today and made it to France. It was warm and sunny with very little wind. The water in the harbour was flat, much different from the conditions this past weekend. I decided to take today off so I sat on the beach and watched the other swimmers do their laps back and forth across the harbour.

Here are some photos of Dover Harbour.

Swimmer's Beach, looking towards the White Cliffs.

Danger, danger.

Looking towards the left wall at low tide. Ferry coming into port.

Looking towards the right wall.

Seeking boat and pilot.

The Seafarer II, my ride back to England.

Training in Dover

2008-08-02T16:57:00.005-04:00

Dover Beach, Friday 1 August

Training in Dover Harbour has been and fun and interesting. Yesterday was a beautiful sunny day, but it was very windy. When I got to the beach there were a few other swimmers who had just completed their swims. I met Cliff and chatted with him before my swim.

When I got in the water I noticed two things; the water didn't feel cold to me at all and it is really, really salty. I don't remember it being that salty when I was here last May. I just remember it was really cold.

There are piers with ferry terminals on either side of the harbour. The walls of these terminals create the harbour where the swimmers, sailers and rowers train. With the wind coming from the south, the right wall provided a little relief and the water was calmer. The other side of the harbour was very choppy because the water was being pushed against the opposite wall. I swam for an hour and a half in the choppy water.

Saturday 2 August

Today was cloudy and the water was even choppier than the day before. We gathered early on the beach because the swimmers had to be out of the water by 1pm for the Dover Regatta. After checking in with Freda, getting my cap and greasing up, I was ready for my 4 hour swim.

It was low tide when I started swimming and even though it wasn't as windy as the before, there was a lot of water moving around in the harbour. I swam laps back and forth from swimmers beach to the left wall. I came in after an hour and 20 mintues and got a warm cup of juice and Maxim from Barry. I spend much of the next hour swimming against the current, swimming in place for 5 mintues for at time. It was a bit calmer in that spot so I could relax and not fight the water. After a while the current let me go and I swam forward. Then I turned around, swam back and did it over again. During the third hour the waves picked up even more as the tide came in. It was hard to keep from swallowing water or see over the waves. I wrapped up the swim at 3 hours and 50 minutes.

My friend Tony, who attempted to swim the channel last year, came down on the train from London for the day. After the swim we got paela and a pint from the vendors at the regatta.

Here is the view of the harbour after today's swim.

Arrived in London

2008-07-28T18:42:00.002-04:00

I arrived in London last night. It seemed a bit surreal to actually be on my way to swim the Channel. I had a relaxing day today; sleeping in, getting the mobile that I borrowed from a friend back home set up, a quick visit to the British Museum and a workout with the London Otters.

Off to Dover on Wednesday.

Nightswimming

2008-07-09T18:49:00.002-04:00

A thunderstorm is passing overhead so I have time to write when I should be going to the beach to swim.

Nightswimming deserves a quiet night
The photograph on the dashboard, taken years ago,
Turned around backwards so the windshield shows
Every streetlight reveals the picture in reverse
Still, it's so much clearer
I forgot my shirt at the water's edge
The moon is low tonight
--REM, "Automatic for the People," 1993

Jen and I went for an evening swim at Nantasket beach on Monday. The water was fairly warm, maybe in the mid 60s and the air was hot and sticky. It felt good to get in for a swim. It 8:45pm when we finally got in. There was still light in the sky as we swam for the house with the red roof.

It was low tide so we were only swimming in a few feet of water. Sometimes my hand would hit the bottom because there wasn't enough light to judge the depth. I could barely make out the dark clumps of seaweed and the white clam shells. During the day I see the bottom clearly enough to tell the difference between a clam and a snail. At dusk, it was all spooky shadows. I tend to close my eyes when I can see the bottom so I did to stop spooking myself.

After 25 minutes, Jen and I stopped and looked around. We could see Boston Light ahead of us, Graves Light a little more to the east. When we turned around Minot's Light shined behind us. It was getting late so we decided to turn around and swim back. It had gotten dark. We couldn't make out the shore as well so we aimed for the double bright lights near the bathhouse.

This time we were in deeper water where we couldn't touch the bottom. I could barely see my forearms, but not my hands in front of me. The shadows of the bottom didn't spook me in the deeper water so I settled into my stroke. When I breathed to my left, I was looking out into the Atlantic. I could see a green bouy and some ship lights occassionally. I watched the planes circling overhead. WHen I breathed to my right I saw the house and street lights in Hull. An ambulance passed. I looked at the waning moon over my shoulder. I watched a bright red light for awhile and wondered what it was. It wasn't until it turned green that I realized it was a street light. Street lights look strange from the water. I counted my strokes; 15 strokes for the green, 35 for the red. Yes, the red lights are longer.

As Jen and I got closer to the bathhouse, I started to notice something in the water. It looked like light reflecting in the water. I watched the bubbles coming off of my hands. I was seeing sparks and I realized it was bioluminescence. I stopped and Jen said she saw the same thing.

How long is your English Channel swim?

2008-05-30T17:08:00.007-04:00

The English Channel is a 350-mile stretch of the Atlantic Ocean between England and France. In France it is called La Manche, the sleeve. At it's widest, the Channel is 150 miles (240 km). Channel swimmers cross at the shortest distance, 21 miles or 19 nautical miles from Dover, England to Cape Gris-Nez, France. But 21 miles is as the crow flies! The changing tides will push and pull me along so I will swim a bit more than 21 miles. The faster I swim, the less I will be affected by the changing tides, so the shorter the distance I will swim. Swims starting in France are no longer allowed.

In swimming distances, the Channel is 38,000 yards. One of our typical Masters workouts is about 3,000 to 4,000 yards. So it's like doing 10 workouts in a row.

The Channel Tunnel, or Chunnel, is 34.4 miles and runs under the Strait of Dover from Dover to Calais. During my swim, I will mostly swim along or criss-cross over the Chunnel as the tide ebbs and flows during my swim. I've been through the Chunnel on a train to Paris and it seemed like we were in that tunnel a really long time!

Look Ma, no sharks!

2008-05-28T14:55:00.006-04:00

I often get asked if there are sharks in the English Channel. I have assured my mother that I am not at risk of being attacked by a shark in the English Channel. My biggest marine life threat will be jelly fish.

I don't know that sharks do not exist in the waters between England and France, but according to a recent report on the International Shark File website titled "ISAF 2007 Worldwide Shark Attack Summary," attacks in the UK are pretty rare:

"As in recent years, the majority (61%: 43 attacks) of unprovoked attacks occurred in North American waters. Traditionally, half of the world's attacks occur in United States (including Hawaii) waters. The total of 50 attacks in the U.S. waters was higher than the declines recorded in 2003-2006 (ranging from 30-40), returning to 2000-2001 levels of 53 and 50, respectively. Elsewhere, attacks occurred in Australia (13 - up from 7 in 2006 but similar to 2004-2005 totals of 13 and 10), South Africa (2), and New Caledonia (2), with single incidents reported from Fiji, Ecuador, Mexico, and New Zealand."

According to ISAF, my odds are 1 in 11.5 million for being attacked by a shark, and 0 in 264.1 million for being killed by a shark. (ISAF Shark Statistics)

Sometimes I bump into a stick while I'm swimming and it startles me. To ensure that I get a good night sleep before my swim I will pass on watching JAWS.

More information about sharks, research and conservation can be found at the Florida Museum of Natural History.

I Couldn't Resist

2008-05-16T19:37:00.003-04:00

R.I.P Fish

Fish Rescue in Walden

2008-05-16T11:27:00.003-04:00

My friend Tommy and I were swimming in Walden after work yesterday. It a cool, cloudy day, but according to our thermometer the water had warmed a few degrees, 60F. As we swam through the first coves on the left side, we stopped to look at the fish. I tried, as I always do to catch one, but the fish got away, as they always do.

We stopped to look at some smaller fish in a shallow cove. We had just started swimming again when I noticed another fish. Something about the way he was moving didn't see right. I stopped and went back to get a closer look. Even though I couldn't see a hook or fishing line, I could tell by the way he was struggling that the line was wrapped around a branch. Tommy stopped swimming and looked back. I called, "he's stuck."

Ducking under water, I located the line while Tommy tried to untangle the fish. The line was wrapped too tight so we broke the some of the branches so we didn't have to work underwater. For the next 5 mintues, we stood in shallow water trying to free our little fish. I held the fish while Tommy tried to work the hook free from the fish's mouth. The hook was in pretty good and getting the last bit out without trying to hurt the fish anymore was hard.

When we did get our fish free, I set him underwater. At first he didn't move. The we watched as he swum along the bottom, doing corkscrews toward his injured side. He didn't seem to have much fight left.

We didn't have any pockets or any place to put the line, hook and bait that was still on the line. Tommy dug the hook into a piece of wood so it wouldn't be exposed and we threw it into the bushes. Then I checked under water and saw our fish lying in the leaves and muck on the bottom. He didn't make it after all.

Now I was cold because I didn't wear a wetsuit so we had to start swimming again so I could get warm. I felt tight from the cold while I was swimming. We didn't make any more stops until we got back to the beach.

We decided to nickname that spot Fish Hook Cove. I'm sure Thoureau had his own name for the cove across the pond from his cabin, but I will remember it as the place we freed a fish.

Marathon Swimming is a Team Sport

2008-05-13T21:59:00.008-04:00

I've always thought of swimming as an individual sport until I started competing in long distance swimming. One of the things I enjoy about marathon swimming is the partnership between the swimmer, my support crew, the boat pilot and crew and Mother Nature.

Before a race I try to learn as much as I can by going out on the course with the pilot and crew. I look for landmarks that I will be able to see from the water and note the sight lines between them. The pilot notes the water depths in case it is too shallow for the boat to follow where I will be swimming. I know in these spots that I have to stay on course and not follow my boat. I learn which direction the tides run in relation to my swim course.

Before the swim I prepare my supplies and discuss my feeding schedule with my crew. Without getting the enough nutrition on a long swim, my crew is likely to end up with a cranky swimmer. On each swim we learn a little more about what works and what doesn't with the food and the feeding system.

I also rely on my pilot and crew for my safety. In the water, a swimmer can see very little. In areas with heavy boat traffic, the crew on the boat has to keep a lookout for other boats, jet skis, ferries and tankers that don't expect a swimmer to be in the water. Last summer I was support crew for swimmer in the Boston Harbor and I had to constantly watch for recreational boats coming from all directions. Sometimes it is necessary to keep an eye out for things that like to nibble at swimmers.

Without other swimmers to chat with at the wall, the crew is the only source of encouragement and entertainment. A smile or thumbs up are usually all I need, but there are times I need something a little stronger. Out of sight of any landmarks, I watch the activity in the boat like it was TV. I have something to look forward to when I see my crew start to prepare my next feeding. It means I get a short break, a snack and a few words with my friends. The crew is usually amused by their new pet. I've also learned not to ask how far I have swum or how much farther. The answer is always 8 miles!

Last summer I stayed with a host family for the Lake George 41K race. They opened their home to me and treated me and my crew like family. Staying with them made preparations easy and I was happy to have their help and support.

Training for marathon swims, especially something like the English Channel is time consuming and tiring. I have relied on the support of my CMSC teammates and coaches to get me through many workouts. Thanks, Scott. I will miss you!

Maybe You Should Have Your Head Examined: Lessons From Cold Water Swimming

2008-03-27T21:52:00.013-04:00

I wrote this for NEM News, the New England Masters Swim Club Newsletter.

"Maybe you should have your head examined." My mother has said this to me on more than one occasion. I've been called crazy, nuts, and certifiable, but it was meant in a good way. At least, I think so.

While training for my English Channel swim this August I've discovered a few things. One of them is that I like cold water. I never thought this was possible nor did I inherit this trait from anyone in my family. I used think that anyone who would swim in Antarctica or the Bering Strait is some kind of super human and maybe a little crazy. Last May I went to Dover to swim with the channel swimmers who train in the Dover Harbor on weekends. I specifically chose the first weekend of the season because I figured the water would surely be warmer if my swim attempt is in August.

Clinging to our towels on the rocky beach on a gray spring day, we received our instructions from Freda, who is fondly known as the "General." The channel newbies had to swim for 20 minutes, then come back an hour later and swim for another 25 minutes. The water temperature was 54F. I remember gasping for air, but after 10 minutes when I reached the pier, I realized that I wasn.t going to die. I had finally put my face in and was swimming a normal stroke, battling through the chop. I kept looking over my shoulder at the white cliffs in the gray fog. When I got out I shivered so much that I could barely get my trousers on.

I continued my cold water swimming at Plum Island and Walden Pond. I eventually stopped shivering so much. Some days, I.d jump in and think it was pretty warm. It was probably 65. But it became harder to find people who would keep swimming with me. My cold-water swimming partner, Elaine, and I swam at Plum Island until late October. We'd get strange looks from people walking on the beach. We cherished every ray of sunlight. The plovers who had been nesting all summer were now whizzing over our heads as we swam. They were so close and so fast. We'd stop every 5 to 10 minutes to check on each other and make a decision on when it was time to get out. We stopped for ice cream on the way home until the shops closed for the season. Indian summer was over and the cold air set in. What were we to do? Keep on swimming!

We returned to the cold water on New Year.s Day for the annual L Street Brownie Polar Bear swim. The water was really, really cold and my feet really hurt. But we survived and went back the next two weekends. There was a strange thrill to it. We learned from our first plunge in 37 degree water that wading in was not a good thing to do. There is no getting used to the water; it only makes your feet hurt. The best approach is to jump right in. We usually shriek a bit and begin swimming for all we're worth. There is that half second that I think that I can turn the clock back and not get wet. Then it's over in a cold, bewildering rush.

My longest swim so far has been about 40 or 50 yards. It probably wasn't even a minute. I could only put my face under in the last few yards; my hands, feet and arms were numb. I angled toward the surf so that I could stand up or crawl if I had to. There is of course danger in this. Never swim alone. I found that getting into the sauna followed by a shower seems to work quite well to warm up. Even the mad dash from the water to the locker room helps to get your blood moving. I went out and bought neoprene boots and gloves because I was concerned about frostbite. After swimming in cold water, even in summer, it's always best to warm up by getting into warm clothes, especially hat and socks and drink warm liquids to bring your core body temperature back up. You may look a little out of place on the beach in winter clothes, but you will be warm and safe.

I checked the water temperature in the Bering Strait last week. It was only two degrees colder than it was in the Boston Harbor. Maybe that swim in Antarctica wouldn't be so
bad after all.

http://www.swimnem.org/news/Newsletter_308.pdf

Sailing, Sailing

2008-03-27T00:12:00.004-04:00

What is the bounding main? It's reference to the ocean, the ocean blue, the seas. I don't remember how I first came across it, but I do remember using google to search for a title for this blog. It was written by Godfrey Marks and has appeared in a few movie soundtracks including Tugboat Annie Sails Again (1940) starring Ronald Reagan and Jane Wyman.

Y'heave ho! my lads, the wind blows free;
A pleasant gale is on our lee,
And now across the ocean clear,
Our gallant bark we'll bravely steer.

But ere we part from England's shore tonight,
A song we'll sing for home and beauty bright:
Then here's to the sailor, and here's to the one so true
Who will think of him upon the waters blue.

Sailing, sailing, over the bounding main,
For many a stormy wind shall blow ere Jack comes home again.
Sailing, sailing, over the bounding main,
For many a stormy wind shall blow ere Jack comes home again.

The sailor's life is bold and free;
His home is on the rolling sea,
And never heart more true or brave,
Than he who launches on the wave.

Afar he speeds in distant climes to roam;
With jocund song he rides the sparkling foam.
The tide is flowing with the gale;
Y'Heave ho! My lads, set every sail.

The harbor bar we soon shall clear,
Farewell once more to home so dear;
For when the tempest rages loud and long,
That home shall be our guiding star among.

Just Keep Swimming cont...

2008-03-25T12:44:00.005-04:00

My Swimways Magic Action Mini Trigger fish arrived in the mail yesterday. I brought it to workout, but he didn't swim. He just hovered along the bottom of the pool. It turns out I had the batteries in backwards. Here's a video of the little guy in action in my kitchen sink.

Just Keep Swimming

2008-03-20T17:48:00.005-04:00

Yup, I've heard that before. But today I got really excited when I came across these fish... Rainbow Reef™ Magic-Action™ Mini Trigger Fish: Water-Activated! Motorized swimming motion starts as soon as the Mini Trigger Fish hits the water! I ordered some. They won't fill the place in my heart for my missing Lucas William Penguin, but they could be a lot of fun.

http://www.swimways.com/product-detail.asp?cid=7&pid=96B3E6C0-005B-495D-A050-27E6819AD852&pg=2

English Channel

2007-12-13T11:12:00.006-05:00

Swimming the English Channel is different than many other sports in that there is not a specific date that I will make my attempt. Swim are usually made on spring tides, when the sun, moon and earth are in line. This is every 14 days on the new moon or the full moon. I have a 10 day window in which I have a boat and pilot booked and I am scheduled to swim. But in the end, it is all up to Mother Nature.

Tide: 7-16 August 2008
Pilot: Chris Osmond
Boat: Seafarer
Crew: Dave Mak and Heather Nicholson
Association: Channel Swimming & Piloting Federation
CS & PF website: http://www.channelswimming.net/

Over the Bounding Main

Video from the Channel

Twittering across the channel

Fundraising awesomeness

Swimmers Who Lunch

The first few days in Dover

Dover weather forecast

Early long distance workouts

Questions from a 9-year old

Erietta's Top Ten Questions about Channel Swimming

Sponsored by Bondi Icebergs

Countdown to Dover

Ain't nothin' better than your own backyard

Still winter...

Winter in Michigan

St. Louis Blues

Get Your Kicks

I Left My Heart...

Arizona and California

T For Texas

That's Right (You're Not From Texas)

The Big Easy

Royal Street, French Quarter

Don't Monkey with the Monkey

A Chance Meeting with the King

Gone to Carolina

A Toast on the Cap

Video of Channel Swim

Viva la France

2359 GMT

2001 GMT

1856 GMT

Swimming the English Channel... TODAY!!!

On A Clear Day

Training in Dover

Dover Beach, Friday 1 August

Saturday 2 August

Arrived in London

Nightswimming

How long is your English Channel swim?

Look Ma, no sharks!

I Couldn't Resist

Fish Rescue in Walden

Marathon Swimming is a Team Sport

Maybe You Should Have Your Head Examined: Lessons From Cold Water Swimming

Sailing, Sailing

Just Keep Swimming cont...

Just Keep Swimming

English Channel