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My story

 

SO NEAR, BUT SO FAR..

Well - it's all over
 
My attempt at swimming the English Channel took place on Monday 8 September  - unfortunately I didn't quite make it, although I gave it a good crack
 
Another plucky Scots failure I'm afraid!
 
Here's a summary of what happened (I've also attached a video clip if you want to see what it looked like out there):
 
At 3.30am on monday morning i jumped into the cold, black water in front of dover's white cliffs and started my swim to france.
 
Conditions were pretty poor. The stormy wind and rain of the previous 2 wks had died down, but the sea was still choppy with a big swell and all the rain had dropped the water temperature down to 16C, about 3 degrees less than normal
 
I spoke with my boat pilot and decided I had no choice but to make my attempt that day because even worse weather was forecast for the rest of the week.
 
I felt strong and surprisingly warm as i swam but the choppy waves kept knocking my stroke out, preventing me from getting into any rhythm.
 
I swam the first 3 hrs in the dark with only the lights on my support boat and it was a nice relief when daylight started to appear, although it was another 3 or 4 hrs before I started to feel a bit of sun on my back
 
The waves and swell also caused problems when my boat stopped every hour or half hour to throw me an energy drink - each time I put the bottle to my mouth a wave would wack me in the face so I either didn't get much of the drink or I got It mixed with sea water which made me vomit.
 
I managed to keep going hour after hour, despite demons in my head telling me to get out and climb into a nice warm bed!
 
I reached the half way point after less than 6 hrs and my boat crew were excited because it looked like I would complete the swim within 12hrs. They told me I was ahead of 2 relay teams (6 swimmers in each team swimming for an hour each) who started at the same time as me. So I felt really good
 
I was still feeling good and strong as I went through hours 7-10. But I wasn't getting enough fuel due to the feeding problems and I think that's what did for me in the end
 
After 13 hrs 40 mins of swimming, and having got to within 1.5 miles of the french coast, which felt like touching distance, i got caught in the outflowing tide.
 
That meant that despite being so close that it would normally take me only about 30 mins to swim to shore, I  would have to swim even faster against the tide for the next 4 hrs than i had been for the last 13 hrs, just to stay still!
 
I tried to increase my stroke rate but I had almost nothing left to give
 
That was when my boat pilot decided that I was close to hypothermia and would not be able to  cope with another 4 hrs of zero progress. So i was pulled out the water on safety grounds.
 
I think it was the right decision. I don't remember much of hours 10-13 because disorientation was setting in, which is a good indicator that i was slipping into hypothermia
 
So, I didn't quite make it although I think I came about as close as it's possible to come without landing on French soil
 
I'm a wee bit disappointed, because I'd envisaged a certificate on my wall and a story to one day tell (potential) grandchildren!
 
I'll try again early next summer - I now know that I can do it.
 
The good news for me (and the WDCS) is you don't get a refund of your generous donation even though I didn't fulfil my end of the bargain!
 
Thanks very much for your support
 
I hope all is well with you

Steve
 

rather you than me but what a challenge! Donation by John Sturrock 24/04/08  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Remember - make very sparing use of the blow hole. Admiration, incredulity and hours of mirth all in one package. Thanks Steve. Donation by Stephen Gibb 15/04/08  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

Won't be easy for you - could ruin the hairstyle! Donation by Sundeep 08/04/08  

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...and I meant what I said about the krill and my "fat days" suits. There's a whale somewhere in need of these. Good luck !! Donation by Alan A 03/04/08  

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There are easier ways of getting money.... Donation by Tom Ward 03/04/08  

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The ferry's easier! Good luck. Donation by Richard 03/04/08  

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Steve, I'm sure I've got some lard in the firge but if I'm expected to slap it on as well I'll take the easy option & donate. Have a whale of a time.J Donation by Julie Westwood 01/04/08  

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Bonkers mad! Good luck! Donation by Kirsten 01/04/08  

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Pervert Donation by Ian McHoul 26/03/08  

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Why??? Donation by Nadja 26/03/08  

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weirdo! (good luck tho) Donation by Jennie Brash 24/03/08  

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entirely absurd Donation by stephen 18/03/08  

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Have a whale of a time, good luck Donation by Sandra Park 17/03/08  

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I could have thought of easier ways to get wet! Donation by Fay 14/03/08  

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You are definitely bonkers! Good Luck. Donation by Kirsty Hutchon 11/03/08  

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Watch out for the fishing nets & carrier bags. Lots of luck! Donation by Louise A 07/03/08  

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Expect that you'll get out at the other end looking like Daniel Craig. Donation by Ruth Woodburn 06/03/08  

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I guess you're helping my ongoing survival but beer would be preferable! Donation by Moby 06/03/08  

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Rubber and grease? I thought you said "swim" the Channel, not S&M it..... Donation by Richard Shearer 05/03/08  

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A fantastic feat but completely nuts Donation by Mike 04/03/08  

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You are completely bonkers. Enjoy it, if that is possible? Donation by Hugh & Sara 04/03/08  

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Extra if you do it in the afro wig and german "film" star moustache.. Donation by Simon 04/03/08  

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You will be the next Petar Stoychev! Good Luck! Donation by Michael & Linda 04/03/08  

£20.00

Swimming in a sewage slick - well GRA will prove to have been a good training ground. Save the Whale - just don't buy Moby any more beer. Donation by Alan Hughes 04/03/08  

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Don't think of cello music & if you see anything bobbing in your direction keep your mouth shut. Good luck!! Donation by Neil Anderson 04/03/08  

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I think when I see 40 coming I'll just get a Porsche. Hats off though. In fact, everything off apart from the old budgie smugglers. Donation by GC 04/03/08  

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Yes, that's done it, confirmed what I always thought, that you are indeed mad! Donation by Anne Gallagher 04/03/08  

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Good Luck! Rather you than me! Donation by Caroline Griffiths 04/03/08  

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swim Forrest swim! Donation by Mark Stevens 04/03/08  

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Don't get harpooned! Donation by Hazel 04/03/08  

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