Found in the Waves

Everyday is a beach day.

As the weather continues to be so calm and dry it's been great to get clients booked in and know it's likely to go ahead. However, this week we did have a day of wind which prevented one client getting their session. It's a tough call but I have to judge what our clients want to get out of the session with their experience and comfort in the sea and if the conditions will allow that.

Wednesday was a case in point. The wind was up but more importantly the gusts had the potential to create challenging conditions for a new client transitioning from the pool to the sea. So I postponed that client but agreed to check the conditions at 7am when I swam and reconfirm to a more experienced open water swimmer.

The sea at 7 looked calm enough but between the wind and the tide we found our return swim needed that extra bit of focus and effort. The breaking waves were starting to get bigger so I was happy with the decisions I'd made. It wouldn't have been right for a new open water swimmer but my client who is working for an Ironman and has done many events already could work on pacing and adjusting their stroke to suit the conditions.

All in all another fun week in the sea. Although dare I say that the early mornings had a feel of September about them and my brain started to consider how we get in through the winter! Nooooooo.

Lovely and calm coaching this weekend.

So lovely to be coaching this past week - the sea has been so calm it's enabled my clients to push that bit harder and get experience in the sea whilst having the consistency of the pool.

The first pic is hard to make out but that's a client working on a single arm drill using the tow float for support, It's fascinating how you can adapt to coaching in the sea, giving clients a chance to experience different things as they become aware of how they're moving in the water. This client worked on sighting and swimming in a straight line whilst breathing both bilaterally and unilaterally.

Then we had the Out to Swim group coming down for their first 2026 open water swim of the season. By using the kayak I could move around and support them all as they adjusted their strokes to the sea and learnt that sea water can be more of a shock than chlorine.

Finally this morning - a chillier morning with a slightly gusty wind. The sea was still calm but rippled so we worked on breathing and keeping the head flat to create a breathing space.

What a great way to spend the weekend - helping people build skills and confidence in the sea.

Channel Relay Part 3:

And so to our 5th hour of swimming. As we headed closer to France we could see it looking so close but knew that we were working with the tides and relied on the pilot to do their job to bring us in. Seeing France can be a difficult psychological challenge for swimmers as it never seems to get any closer. Having started the swim in the light we could reflect on how Dover had seemed so close for so long as we swam away. Through Ali's first and second swims the cliffs just looked like they'd barely moved and yet we knew we were making progress. We held onto the same thoughts as we closed in on France - hold the belief that we were making progress.

Bodies were getting tired, shoulders were aching and we were still seeing jellyfish drifting by but we kept focused and turned those arms over, and over making what progress we could. The WhatsApp group was keeping us entertained with friends and family, wittily just asking us to turn right and head to the coast now whilst we knew we had a few more hours to swim.

At this point the debate opens as to who is going to land the swim - this is not something we can control and is literally down to time and who happens to be in the water when we get close. Alison's 5th hour went well and then it was Jason's turn. We wondered if he could land it but his shoulders were hurting and we were stuck in the tide with the conditions making headway hard work. So suddenly I was due in the water and the pilots reckoned I'd land it. That felt like an enormous responsibility especially as we were heading to a rocky headland. The pilots reassured me that the conditions would ease as we tucked into the coast so I knew I had to fight for a while and look forward to making land.

I knew I had to work hard but equally I had no idea how long I'd be swimming so I had to find a consistent pace that didn't tire me too quickly. I found my fighting pace working with the waves and trying to breathe to the left without taking in water but still seeing the boat and where it was leading me. I also knew that at some point the boat would stop and the tender would be put into the water to guide me in.

France didn't get any closer, those rocks just stayed tantalisingly ahead. The crew were amazing, cheering me on as I swam. It was emotional and I had to focus not to tear up. Suddenly I could see movement on board as the pilots got the tender out. So exciting and terrifying all at once. I waved goodbye to the crew and headed onwards without them.

The tender guided me in and finally, finally the rocks got closer. The conditions had eased so the swimming was easier and I could see shadows on the ground which confirmed it was getting shallower. Then I hit the patches of water far too hot and water which felt much colder. I pushed onwards wondering what the rocks would be like and how easy it would be to stand up.

Then the pilot on the tender told me he was staying put and I had to get up and out of the water but to be careful as the rocks could be sharp, Through the seaweed I pushed, suddenly I had to pull myself along trying to find a stable rock to stand on. I stood up, and then fell back down, much to the amusement of the crew on board.

Then I saw a flattish stone with quartz on top and managed to slip and slide to stand atop. Then the horn went off and we'd landed in France. Cue cheers and crying then back to business to get back to the tender. I pulled hard towards the boat and rammed myself into a rock - deep breaths and trying again I got to the tender and the fabulous pilot helped me up into the boat. Off we set back to the Viking Princess II.

A truly memorable day with fun, laughter, hard work and a fantastic team. Will I do it again? No, not this time. I've done 3 channel swims now and enjoyed everyone one. This one in my 60th year was excellent proof that everything is possible when you train well and have a good team with you.

Channel Swim Part 2: Settling into the routine

Each swim was different as we settled into the pace and dealt with the changing tides and winds.

After each swim we have to coordinate a change over - this involves the excitement of the pilots coming to the back of the boat to get ready to change swimmers. One of them opens the side gate and the other lowers the lift (yes, we're lucky enough to get lifted out of the water). When you're swimming it's hard to judge time passing as we don't wear our watches. We do this so we're not clock watching but just focusing on moving forward. On the first swim I could tell the time based on how my hands chilled. Once the top of my hands were getting cold and numb I knew I'd been in nearly an hour. After that my body never gets as cold for future swims so it was harder to gauge the hour.

My second swim was delightful - calm waters, the sun just warming me and only a few jellyfish drifting by. I'd asked Emma to show me when I had 10 mins to go but that 10 mins felt like forever so I didn't want to repeat that torture.

The third swims saw us hit the jellyfish big time. Jason seemed to like to swim into single jellyfish and drape them down his body to get the full effect. Alison, had the misfortune of swimming into a patch of seaweed and jellyfish and got the full electric shock feeling. Somehow she managed to keep swimming and completed the hour - impressive focus, I'm not sure I would have been able to put the fear aside. Even so it was hard getting back into the water after seeing the pain she was in but it seems that she'd hit the worst of it and we went back to single jellyfish drifting by.

The French side often seems to be rougher with the wind and waves getting up. That meant that our fourth swims were much tougher, working with the swell and chop to push onwards. We've all been seasoned, year round sea swimmers so we're used to swimming in waves and whilst it was harder it was also a fun change and a dare a say it a lovely challenge. It meant changing breathing patterns as it was harder to breathe towards the boat without taking in a mouthful of water.

And so the fight to land in France started...

We did it! Our three person relay, Too Cool for the Pool, landed in France after 14h 34m of swimming in hour long blocks.

Part1:

Our pilot had indicated on Tuesday that it was likely we'd be able to swim the channel on Thursday so the logistics ramped up. Work had to be cancelled, dog sitters put in place, bags repacked and the splendid support crew prepared to head to Bournemouth Wednesday afternoon. We all gathered at my house to watch Ali make the call to confirm the attempt. It's always nerve-wracking to make that call but for once we got confirmation we'd go out in our window, we'd go out the next day!

Two of our support crew drove us down to Dover and we arrived around 11pm with barely an hours nap between us. Then it was getting our bearings and trying to get some sleep before our 3am meet with the pilots. Good job we'd practised swimming with little sleep as that's what we had to do.

At 3am we met the pilots and loaded up the boat, setting off to Samphire Hoe. Ali went first, getting a regal lift in the tender till close to shore. This was the only dark swim as the sun was rising rapidly so Jason, as no. 2 had no need of lights and got in around 5am. Then 6am came round and I had to jump into the water and take over the swimming.

My first swim was challenging as I settled into the flow - I really thought I'd do a lot of it without using my legs but for some reason it wasn't working so I returned to arms and legs and settled into the flow much better.

One of the challenges of swimming next to the boat is the psychology of your pace. We swim so slow that the boat has to put out a drogue to reduce the speed of the boat. The pilot then has to manage the speed of the boat accelerating and decelerating to match our pace. This means that at times we're at the front of the boat, others we drift backwards (and smell the diesel) and hopefully end up settling in next to the pilot's lookout. As a swimmer you need to clear thoughts of worry that you're slowing or excitement that you're up front and just swim. Not always easy.

Part 2 - how the swims went, including the jelly encounters.

Meanwhile, life and work continues. The current calm, sunny weather has led to some dreamy swims and great coaching conditions.

Sunday though was a little busy on the water. It seems as though every local water group/business decided to host an event this weekend so there were extra people drawn to the sea and frustratingly two of the events bounded where we swim. There were rapidly moving rescue boards and paddle boards from the shore line to the yellow buoys so at times it was impossible to swim safely along the coast as we normally do. Fantastic to see so many people enjoying the water but couldn't it have been planned better so everyone else still got to use the marked swimming areas?

Monday though was back to the peace and quiet that we seek - a little misty but it was clear enough for me to introduce my client to a deeper water swim. The tide was out so it wasn't super deep and you could see the sea floor the whole way so not quite the spooky sensation you can get at times but still a good time to experience swimming without putting your feet down when needed.

This morning I met up with the channel team and after putting the world to rights (if only!) we decided it was a chill swim day - no great targets just us remembering how much we love being in the sea. A short little swim, taking breaks to chat about the possibility of swimming on Thursday and the logistics involved (ie how we need to go shopping to replace the food we'd packed but now eaten!). 😁

All in all a good start to the week with the promise of more fun and adventures to come!

The window is opening...time to taper.

And so we are in tapering anticipation and hoping the predicted heatwave means long days of low winds so we can actually get out in the next 12 days.

Our WhatsApp group is growing rapidly as more people want to hear the news as it happens. Do message me if you want to follow more than a dot.

Carb loading is in overdrive - well, it is for one team member who loves a networking meal.

The biscuit bag is looking full and I really must plan my food and not just keep buying things that intrigue me. Peaches were the latest item to hit my shopping bag - maybe I'll fancy them, maybe I won't. It's so hard to know what you'll actually what to eat when tired and needing refreshment. Lots of liquids and then a veritable smorgasbord of snacks. Time to bake some more cheese scones and maybe some fruit buns.

I went to my last early morning pool session this morning - well, maybe not but I won't go next week, just in case.

It's a strange phase - training pressure is off but event pressure is on. Time to find the reserves of patience and calm whilst dealing with this background noise.

Support crew are gathering - one returning from Finland, the others managing the local challenges of living with a swimmer. Caroline, our fantastic support and team manager will brief and boss to make sure we're all where we should be, when we should be. Mike and Emma are new to being on a boat for a swim but I'm sure will be fantastic at keeping us motivated and warm/dry and fed.

Really must go - going to print my kit list and start to order the bits and bobs for the swim in the spare room. I do love a to do list! 🥰🏊🌅

.So glad I spend my time in and near the water.

This heat recently has been debilitating - I really struggle in hot weather and appreciate that even when I'm teaching at the pool I can cool off and then gradually steam from the side of the pool.

Teaching in the sea has been sublime though - calm conditions, lovely clients and cooling water. What's not to like!?

Training has also been ticking along - more repeat sessions, planning and chatting with my crazy team mates. Our window opens next week and so for the next few weeks we're on constant standby to get to Dover and swim. Our employers and clients are all ready to be left and rescheduled at short notice whilst we carry on with work and life, ready to jump out of our skin each time the phone rings. My spare room is getting full of kit: multiple costumes, towels, lights, vaseline and a range of food stuffs that might tickle our fancy when we're exhausted and need energy.

Our boat is Viking Princess and if you like following a dot that refreshes every 15 minutes, you will be able to track us on https://www.channelswimmingassociation.com/pilots/viking-princess-ii.

That was exhausting!

What a changeable week of weather it was last week. More cancelled clients and then lovely calm seas for others. It's hard planning a business around mother nature but we can usually make it work and at least my lovely clients understand how capricious the sea is.

Saturday dawned calm so our team moved to Shore Road for the day. Some of our friends were doing 8hour swims from 5am and I have so much admiration for their ability to stay warm and keep going for so long.

Our goal was 4 x 1 hour swims so we'd packed plenty of food and drink and head space to take with us. It was fascinating seeing how the changing wind and tide made each swim unique. One minute flying to Sandbanks, the next it was a slog. During the 3rd swim I had an idea. One of my team mates wanted to do a 5 x 1 hour swim and so as we reached smiley house, my tired brain suggested we stayed on and did the extra hour. Unfortunately we couldn't all do this extra hour, so after a tiring 4th hour the two of us warmed, ate and rehydrated and prepared ourselves to go back in when our reserves were low and our arms aching.

Saturday was also powerboat racing day - not something I'm a huge fan of as I'd rather enjoy nature peacefully but hey, we're all different. We'd noticed a flotilla of boats moving very slowly along the outside of the yellow buoys with one boat at a very strange angle. Unfortunately it seems that a boat sank just outside of the harbour entrance and spilled fuel. Hence as we headed to Sandbanks for our last swim a lovely RNLI jet skier stopped us and advised us to turn. We duly did so but for me, it was too much to pass the hut at 45 mins - I couldn't resist the urge to get out so abandoned my team mate as they valiantly continued for the last 15 minutes. Hats off to them, very impressive dedication.

Once we'd packed up we raised a toast to ourselves with this year's obligatory Mr Whippy with a flake (of course!). A great day's swimming and a good milestone for our relay. Shame my body refused to settle down that evening and allow me to pass out peacefully for 8 hours of sleep. Never mind I caught up the next night! It's all about recovery.

Well, I did ask for waves!

We went from calm, glassy seas to riotous waves and persistent rain. It blows my mind that we now get such extremes within a few days but climate change is a whole other discussion.

Last week I had to cancel many clients as it just wasn't possible to get consistent conditions to work on technique. I thought this week would be better but we're still a little over comfortable wind conditions.

However, I did get in to swim and wow, did we work hard. Thursday early morning we managed an hour in seaweed soup. Nearly every stroke gathered and moved bits of seaweed - it was all lovely and fresh and as it was so regular it felt perfectly normal. It was a fight to head towards Canford but a pleasurable one! When we turned we realised that a/my tow float didn't want to play nicely and b/it was hard to get a grip of the water and move. So I first had to put the tow float between my legs so it didn't sit on my shoulders and get in the way. Then I could adapt my stroke and try to maintain some power in washing machine conditions.

As an aside I debate taking the tow float in windy conditions - they can be annoying but equally with kite surfers and other fast pointy sea users out and about visibility is essential so I take it, aware that I may have to adapt.

Friday dawned a little more gentle. One of those days when the sea looks relatively calm in pics but the reality is another day of effort one way and speedy swims back. My first client managed to get in and make the distance. A great effort which reinforced his understanding of the sea and more challenging conditions. He came out feeling much more comfortable swimming front crawl when the sea is random.

I then met up with one of my team mates and with a couple of visitors for single hours we managed 3 x 1 hour swims. Arms worked hard and the last one was challenging as the wind was increasing and we were getting tired. It was challenging but we were both so glad we could complete the swims and get some really useful training in.

So what has this week got for us? Currently I see the sun but I also see the wind so clients may get moved along again. Let's get to the pool!