Finally! It has begun. (Off subject)

[Mick in Dubbo]

After waiting for just over a week for the English weather to settle enough, especially in the Chanel, my older brother Geoff, has commenced his assault on swimming the English Chanel! He started at 9pm London time (about an hour ago). Due to the strict rules that surround such a swim, for it to be authenticated by the governing body there, he had to commence his swim within 8 days of the date that he elected to commence the swim. Due to bad weather in England he has only just beaten that dead line by a meer 3 hours. The conditions are still not the best, but now doable. Only 18% of swimmers who attempt this swim, succeed so it will be no small feat to complete it.
I'll let you know how he fairs whether he succeeds or not. Go Geoff!
Mick Evans.

 

[WolfdogIa.]

Please do, Go Geoff!!!

 

[Parkit]

Indeed, GEOFF!! Best of luck to him!

 

[Uncle Willy]

I wish him luck MIck. No small feat indeed, even in good weather and channel conditions. Keep us posted.

Bill

 

[Mick in Dubbo]

Unfortunately due to bad cramps, Geoff had to abandon the swim 4 hours and 10 minutes into the swim. He got out into the shipping lanes. he will be very disappointed, as he has swum much greater distances in both open water and colder water (25kms) in training.
Thanks for the support guys.
I looked up how many people have successfully climbed Mt Everest, and how many people have successfully swum the Chanel. There has been a good many people more that have reached Everest's summit than has swum the Chanel! So to even try and fail is still a great effort.
Mick Evans.

 

[John-Edmonton]

He's a winner no matter how you look at it

 

[WolfdogIa.]

He sure is!!!

 

[limpy]

I don't know about "Dreaming" about an attempt such as this, I cant swim out of sight in a bath tub. Considering the weather and the conditions that they have been having over there lately it was a magnificent effort, and to achieve what he did, is superb. No doubt he will try again, so let's hope conditions are more suitable for him later and he can achieve a greater level of success, and as John says "He is a winner anyway" Best wishes to him and all of his supporters.

Regards, Barry.

 

[Mick in Dubbo]

Thanks all.
I found out after I last posted, that he had managed to swim 15kms in those conditions! Pretty amazing. 2 days prier to the start of the swim, the tides turned against him and only 24 hours previous, there were still strong winds 25 knots I believe, and 5 foot swells! I think that he must have gone to hard to get to mid Chanel before the tides turned on him. He was expecting to take 6 hours to get there. If there was more leeway on the deadline, then he probably would have succeeded. thanks for all the kind words.
Mick Evans.
P.S. I haven't asked him, if he will try again, but after a rest and a refocus, then he may well go again.

 

[khouse]

If my bath water is too cold I can't even make it across. Man 4 hours by itself has to be a killer! Sorry about his cramps. Great effort!