!!!!2021 Update!!!!

They say the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

Not sure where that leaves us Blue Dragons, as we’ve been given the opportunity to give the Channel swim another bash and this time we are even more determined to MAKE IT (ALL THE WAY) ACROSS!!!

The Aspire team have “kindly” (!!!) given us another try because we were the ONLY team not to make it across last year and because our team’s fundraising was significantly over the required amount (thanks to all our generous supporters).

So, whilst there is no official financial target we need to meet this year, all donations will of course be very gratefully received and will help Aspire continue to do their amazing work (and keep us motivated through another year of cold water training !!)

2020: Yep, you read that right.

Nope, haven't lost my mind.

Having watched a certain Channel 4 show this summer, I recalled a moment of youthful confidence in which I said that I would "swim the channel when I'm a grown up".

Try as I might to reject it, adulthood is well and truly here and so in August 2020, I will be attempting to swim the English Channel as part of a 6 person team.

No idea how this is going to work; I am hyper-sensitive to the cold, have an over-active imagination in the dark and consider bottomless a phrase for brunch not bodies of water. 

But I've been assured they won't let me in until I've passed the qualifying swim so, from next week, training begins for a 2 hour continuous cold water swim in Dover in the Spring.

All being well, our team (the Blue Dragons) will attempt the actual crossing at the end of August (no guarantee on dates, as the tide will do what the tide will do). 

And so...a 22 mile journey shared between 6 people awaits. No wet suits either. Thems the rules.

I'll be raising money for Aspire; a charity that provides practical help to people who have been paralysed by spinal cord injury, supporting them from injury to independence. A spinal cord injury can happen to anyone at any time, and no one is prepared for how it will change their life. Every 4 hours, someone is paralysed and Aspire exists because there is currently no cure. 

Whilst it's an incredibly worthy cause, I've been a bit wary of asking other people for money for my self-inflicted sporting endeavor. 

My initial attempt to sweeten the deal (a Crowd Funder style reward system in the form of #PoolsideRequests) was thwarted by Corona (and an inability to train in the pool).

My plans to run fundraising events and get togethers also took a hit due to lockdown. 

So I am now running 'The Cronx Lucky Dip' to incentivise East Croydon Cool followers to donate (in return for an entry into a prize draw to win prizes). 

Croydoners: please donate £5 then leave the comment 'The Cronx Lucky Dip' to be entered. Winners will be drawn on Monday 24th August 2020. 

Please dig deep, dig Channel deep ;)