Swimming the channel

[saleen836]

Was not sure which section to post but thought here would be a start.
Mrs Saleen has signed up for a relay swim across the channel during July 2011, she is already an excellent swimmer but there are very strict rules and regs to adhere to i.e only certain swimwear can be worn (no wetsuits), anyone on here already swam the channel and have any pointers/hints/tips with regards to body grease etc to keep as much cold out as possible?

[996 sps]

There is someone on here who is or used to be a long distance swimming coach, who pointed me in the direction of a website for the Long Distance Swimming Association, there was loads of info of the channel swim on there and a forum, is your wife doing the Lake Windermere swim? I will look for the thread and post it back on Health Matters for you. (Have no idea how to put a link up for you).

Edited to add look at page 8 of resolutions.

Edited by 996 sps on Tuesday 23 February 23:07

[996 sps]

There is someone on here who is or used to be a long distance swimming coach, who pointed me in the direction of a website for the Long Distance Swimming Association, there was loads of info of the channel swim on there and a forum, is your wife doing the Lake Windermere swim? I will look for the thread and post it back on Health Matters for you. (Have no idea how to put a link up for you).

Edited to add look at page 8 of resolutions thread.

Edited by 996 sps on Tuesday 23 February 23:08

[Vee]

My old boss did this.
He said it was one of the most difficult things to attempt.
He managed it but said that the problem is not physical, more shutting down mentally, even within sight of coast.

[Herbie58]

996 sps said:

There is someone on here who is or used to be a long distance swimming coach, who pointed me in the direction of a website for the Long Distance Swimming Association, there was loads of info of the channel swim on there and a forum, is your wife doing the Lake Windermere swim? I will look for the thread and post it back on Health Matters for you. (Have no idea how to put a link up for you).

Edited to add look at page 8 of resolutions.

Edited by 996 sps on Tuesday 23 February 23:07

T'was me. I really can't be arsed typing everything out again (so if you could find other thread - grand!) - but have a look at the British Long Distance Swimming Association site, or give them a call. They will be very helpful.

http://www.bldsa.org.uk/

[saleen836]

Thanks for the replies, swmbo has been reading the swimming the channel website
http://www.channelswimmingassociation.com/

[996 sps]

saleen836 said:

Thanks for the replies, swmbo has been reading the swimming the channel website
http://www.channelswimmingassociation.com/

Do you need anyone else to do the relay?

[saleen836]

996 sps said:

saleen836 said:

Thanks for the replies, swmbo has been reading the swimming the channel website
http://www.channelswimmingassociation.com/

Do you need anyone else to do the relay?

No, they have a team of 6 already.

[kit_kat]

Herbie58 said:

996 sps said:

There is someone on here who is or used to be a long distance swimming coach, who pointed me in the direction of a website for the Long Distance Swimming Association, there was loads of info of the channel swim on there and a forum, is your wife doing the Lake Windermere swim? I will look for the thread and post it back on Health Matters for you. (Have no idea how to put a link up for you).

Edited to add look at page 8 of resolutions.

Edited by 996 sps on Tuesday 23 February 23:07

T'was me. I really can't be arsed typing everything out again (so if you could find other thread - grand!) - but have a look at the British Long Distance Swimming Association site, or give them a call. They will be very helpful.

http://www.bldsa.org.uk/

I am SWMBO

I managed to find the other thread and I have had a brief look over the BLDSA website, thanks very much.

My 'team captain' has given me a training schedule on what he would like to be acheived within the given time frame. I feel quite confident with the distance and times he has laid out. My main problem is going to be the cold water, and yes I know it's a very big problem.

[Herbie58]

kit_kat said:

Herbie58 said:

996 sps said:

There is someone on here who is or used to be a long distance swimming coach, who pointed me in the direction of a website for the Long Distance Swimming Association, there was loads of info of the channel swim on there and a forum, is your wife doing the Lake Windermere swim? I will look for the thread and post it back on Health Matters for you. (Have no idea how to put a link up for you).

Edited to add look at page 8 of resolutions.

Edited by 996 sps on Tuesday 23 February 23:07

T'was me. I really can't be arsed typing everything out again (so if you could find other thread - grand!) - but have a look at the British Long Distance Swimming Association site, or give them a call. They will be very helpful.

http://www.bldsa.org.uk/

I am SWMBO

I managed to find the other thread and I have had a brief look over the BLDSA website, thanks very much.

My 'team captain' has given me a training schedule on what he would like to be acheived within the given time frame. I feel quite confident with the distance and times he has laid out. My main problem is going to be the cold water, and yes I know it's a very big problem.

You do really need to acclimatise yourself to the cold water. You'll no doubt be able to swim the distance in the pool no problems, but please try your hardest to get some decent time in open water.

I've had to help really good swimmers out of the water who have underestimated the effect of the cold. Your nearest harbour should be fine, check the tide timetable, get an alpha flag and stick it up in somewhere (blue and white flag which will warn everyone of a swimmer in the water to keep you safe, you'll notice these on the boats accompanying swimmers. If you do use the harbour, just remember the tide, and you will come across jelly fish, seaweed and some frothy matter etc. Just duck your head under and swim through it, you'll really mess up your stroke and concentration if you freak out.

Alternatively, get yourself down to a loch or lake (safer if you've no safety boat or crew) and wade in! Don't expect to swim for an hour in cold water your first time, I think I managed about 15 minutes my first time (but then it was March in Scotland!), but you will be able to build it up. You could even try one of the BLDSA swims - I'd highly recomend this.

And don't believe any nonsense about special swim suits and vaseline etc - it doesn't work, it's all psychological. The vaseline will help with the friction under your arms though so don't be scared to use it, especially if you're going to do several hours at a time.

[kit_kat]

Herbie - Thanks for the information. I am really quite concerned about the water temprature as I always feel the cold. The training plan I have mentions going to Weymouth at the beginning of June to start to get use to the water temp etc.. I have read on other websites about taking cold showers and baths to get use to the cold temprature.

[saleen836]

Thankfully we are only up to an hours drive from the coast so training in the sea shouldn't be a problem, although I am still asking myself why I agrees to join her in the sea while she trains!