As most of you will have heard by now, I successfully completed the Channel swim on 16th August (postponed due to bad weather) in a time of 12hours and 40minutes. Apart from the cold, a few clouds of jellyfish, some seriously big tankers & ferries, some large swells, and the French tide making me take 40minutes to swim the final 100m, the swim pretty much went according to plan.

Many thanks again to all of you for sponsoring me. 'til the next one...

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On 15th August 2005 (weather permitting), I will be attempting to swim the English Channel (21miles) from Shakespeare's Beach in Dover to Cap Gris Nez on the French northeast coastline.

It was a rugby injury in November 1999 that drew me to this particular challenge. I sustained an injury that led to established degeneration in several lower back discs with annular tears and disc protrusions, displacing the right S1 nerve root. Swimming was initiated as a form of rehabilitation both before and after an operation, and was then maintained after the all-clear from my consultants. I was, however, unable to continue with several sports, and so the target of swimming arguably the world's premier sea marathon was raised. Over the past 2 years, training has increased to 30-40km a week in the pool, cold sea/lake swims (50 Fahrenheit), Force 6 winds, jellyfish... Adrenalin is starting to run when I think about the 15th, but I know that it will be a fantastic day out in the blue. To that end, thank you in advance for your support. Tim