MARK PADLEY CHANNEL SWIM

GETTING TO THE START….

Pending report

 

WEATHER….

OK so the weather wasn’t that kind, in the 9 day window we had, only 1 day was swimmable. Fortunately I was the first swimmer and was the only swimmer to swim (there were lots of swimmers who had there swim postponed till next year). My swim was pencilled in on the 10 September but was delayed until the 12.

 

The general rule is that anything about a Force-3 (7mph) wind and you don’t swim.

 

We’ve been weather watchers all week, the forecast was 15 when we set off, but suggested it would drop after the first couple of hours and thankfully it did.

 

The first 3 hours were dark, followed by 3 hours of sun rise and 8 hours of intermittent sun shine, the air temperature was 10 when we set off with a maximum of 17 Deg when the sun appeared.

 

The sun went down on the 3 hour journey back to Dover.

 

WATER….

The water was the biggest surprise, yes it was salty, but it was considerably cleaner than what I was expecting. Virtually no debris, sea week, oil slicks etc.

 

In addition our boat’s exhaust was above the water (normally underwater) so there was no exhaust smells.

 

The water temperature was as expected at this time of year 17 Deg.

 

All in all, very nice water to swim in.

 

BOAT….

It became very obvious very quickly that my boat VIKING PRINCESS was the biggest support boat there and looked indestructible compared to the rest.

 

It also became apparent that our boat rock and rolled like a fairground ride and the galley accommodation for 10 wasn’t quite as plush as what we expected.

 

The female toilet made porta-potties look good and the male was on/over deck!

 

Not saying any more but ask Mum and Rob for further details!

 

STARTING….

We met Reg and Ray at 02:30am at DoverHarbour along with the CSA Observer.

 

We loaded all our stuff on the boat deck and headed out of port sorting out the paperwork on the way.

 

Our start location was approximately 3 mile West of the harbour adjacent Samphire Hoe, approximately 30 minutes in the boat.

 

We were given a 10 minute warning, time to strip off, grease up and mentally prepare.

 

The boat couldn’t get anywhere near the shore, so we got on the small rib who took us to shore, I exited the water and at about 3:40am started to swim the Channel.

 

SWIM….

Pending report

 

BIG BOATS….

Pending report

 

FEEDING….

Pending report

 

FINISHING….

Pending report

 

PILOTS….

Pending report

 

OBSERVER….

Pending report

 

SUPPORTERS….

Pending report

 

DISTANCES COVERED….

The shortest distance from England to France is 21 mile. Due to the swim start location this increases to 21.5. Unfortunately due to the tides I missed the Cap-Gris-Nez in France which added another 4 mile onto my journey! In total I swam 25.5 mile and if you take into account tidal flow I travelled 34.5 mile.

 

It took 13 hours 52 Minutes, an average swim speed of 1.84 mph.

 

If I had swim the intended 21 mile that would have been under 12 hours, best laid plans and all that!

 

DONATIONS….

 

Many thanks to all those who have donated so far, much appreciated :o)

 

ARCHIVE 

10th SEPTEMBER 2013

Less than a week now until I attempt to swim the English Channel from Dover to France.

This will be a distance of at least 21 miles and I’m hoping to complete it in 13 hours.

All being well I’ll be setting off at approx 1am on Tuesday 10 September, wearing only a pair of Speedo’s, a swim cap and goggles.

I’ve been open water swimming since 2007 with sole commitment to the channel since September last year. Since January I’ve swum over 370 miles and I’m in the best swim condition I’ve ever been in, although it’s hidden (intentionally) by a few kg of added weight for warmth and buoyancy!!!

The only thing certain is that the water will be cold and salty, the jellyfish will sting, the tides will change as will the weather. There is no certainty of a safe crossing until land is touched in France

Simply classed as the Everest of swimming, this crossing has only been successfully accomplished solo by about 1300 people since the first in 1875 by Captain Webb.

 

Having been approached by a few people suggesting that I take on this challenge for charity I have decided to raise funds for the “RNLI”. Although this is a personal challenge here is the opportunity for those of you who want to support me and the RNLI to make a small donation ….as much as I hope not to need them, they will be there should something go wrong!

I have a few sponsorship forms kicking around and I’ve also set up a just giving page for those who want to donate online.

www.justgiving.com/MarkPadleyChannelSwim2013

Also you can text - MPCS99 £Amount - to 70070.

I appreciate times are financially hard at the moment, so thank you :o)

 

My pilot is “Reg Brickell” and his boat is “Viking Princess”. I will be supported on board by Mum, Dad and my good friends Pete, Rob and Keith who will be throwing food at me as I’m not allowed to touch the boat till the return trip :o(

If you click on to the below link you can track his vessel and chart my progress.

http://www.channelswimmingassociation.com/csa-pilots/reg-brickell