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“Channel swimming is 80% mental, 20% the rest”

(Alison Streeter, Queen of the Channel)

Twenty per cent “the rest”?

"What's the fuss about, then?" I wondered, as (like so many before me) I sat in a warm pub after a big meal sipping my ale and confident that the co called "mental element" would take care of itself.

“I’ll do it -  I’ll swim across the Channel!”

Unwisely, perhaps, I allowed my boast to be overheard by my good friend Sam. This ensured that I was not able, conveniently, to forget about the whole affair and dismiss my flirtation with the challenge as a moment of comfort-induced hubris. Sam, I discovered, has long wanted to swim the Channel and took my big talk at face value! And so began our journey to try and to become channel swimmers.

Since I began my year of preparation for this swim, I have learned a great deal about the sport of open water swimming; something for which my experience of swimming in heated pools did not prepare me. I have discovered the joy of jumping into the freezing Serpentine in Hyde Park on crisp winters’ mornings; of swimming six hours under a Mediterranean sun off the Maltese island of Gozo; and of training in Dover Harour on misty British Saturdays under the expert gaze of Freda Streeter and her dedicated team who meet us on that historic beach. I have met many people who have long been involved in the sport, or who are pursuing the same goal as Sam and me and with whom it has been a privilege to share a part of the journey. All have been unwaveringly generous in their support and advice as well as being sources of great inspiration. Most of all, it has been the perfect excuse to spend time with Sam. His own dedication has been a tremendous motivation to me. I have come to depend on his consistent cheeriness and gloriously dark humour in the morning even when, in order to enjoy it, I have to get up at 5am and jump into water so cold it makes my hands hurt.

The swim itself will involve setting out from Dover early one chilly autumn morning and aiming for Cap Gris Nes. I will be supported by a boat which will carry my support crew who will keep me safe and well fed as I swim. I hope to complete the swim in around 14 hours but it could take much longer. I am by no means certain of reaching France and will depend on some good weather on the day. Though I will do all I can to get across somehow!

I would like to use this swim as an opportunity to raise awareness of an important charity working with homeless people in London called St Mungo’s. I originally became aware of the work that St Mungo’s does through my professional life as they have provided accommodation and services for people I have met on hospital wards. The vision of St Mungo’s is that everyone should have a decent place to live, something meaningful to do, and satisfying relationships with other people; as well as the good health to enjoy this. St Mungo’s mission is to house, support and care for vulnerable and excluded people who either have been, or are at risk of, sleeping rough and being homeless. I believe in this mission, and would be extremely proud if money raised through my swim could contribute in some small way to St Mungo’s’ work.  

Please be aware that I have personally (with a very generous contribution from my father) covered all the costs of the channel swim, the training, registration and support team. What I would like to offer to you is the opportunity to use my challenge to contribute to St Mungo’s charity, knowing every penny you give will go directly to them.

Thank you for reading

John