We're a year out!! (Channel Swimming FAQs)

I thought it would be a nice time to update, because in less than a year from now, my tide window will be well in swing (and hopefully I will be swimming in it!!) I'm not sure if i've mentioned this somewhere else but...My tide window is September 4-12, 2015!!

Playing around with my brother, Jasper (kayaker extraordinare) after today's swim. It was 66 degrees!

At this juncture, I thought it would be a good time to provide some information about swimming the channel to those of you who may not be familiar with it or just like knowing cool facts!! So below you will find Delia's FAQ about the swimming the English Channel. 

Here's the Channel! I will be swimming from Dover, England to Calais, France. 

How many people have swum the channel? Fewer people than have climbed Mount Everest! Based on what I have found, there have been a total of 1341 swimmers who have completed a total of 1801 solo crossings. 

How/why did you decide to do this? When I was 15, I read a book called Swimming to Antarctica, by Lynne Cox. It was easily the most inspiring book I've ever read and led me to decide that I wanted to try to swim the channel myself. I had been swimming for a number of years (read 17), but only started swimming in open water at age 14. I was immediately drawn to the allure and adventure of swimming in large bodies of water. Conquering the channel seemed like the logical next step. One thing that I love about the Channel is that speed is not the only factor in a successful swim. The preparation is all about building endurance in various capacities: physically, mentally and emotionally. Your success in the Channel is also highly dependent on the wrath (or generosity) of Mother Nature, which was something that was difficult for me to grasp at first. Attempting the Channel is about far more than being a "fast swimmer". 

How many miles is it? In a straight line it is 21 miles, but because of the way the currents move you end up swimming in more of an S curve. Depending on how strong the currents are and how quickly you swim, the shape of the s curve and therefore the number of miles that you end up swimming can vary dramatically from person to person. 

Is this a race? Will you be all by yourself? It is not an organized race, but there may be other people who are swimming the same day, but with different pilots. Each swimmer is responsible for contacting their own pilot and reserving a tide window with them. The pilot then acts as your guide, and will be in charge of navigating you through the channel via their fishing boat. Most of the pilots have years of experience on the channel and are in high demand. You usually have to book a tide window about a year before you plan on swimming. 

What is a tide window? When you coordinate with your pilot you will be reserving a weeks worth of time, which is called a tide window. Within that window, you must be on standby and ready to swim when your pilot calls. Tides move in cycles and the magnitude of the tide varies depending on the cycle. Channel swimmers usually like to reserve neap tides, which have the least amount of tidal movement, thus making it a more ideal time to make a crossing. 

How long does it take? Faster swimmers can do it in as a little as 7 hours, while swimmers on the slower end may take up to 27 hours. The average solo crossing is about 13 hours and 41 minutes. I think I should fall somewhere around the average time, but honestly it doesn't matter how long it takes!

Do you stop and rest? As per Channel Swimming association rules you cannot touch the boat or any person on the boat in order for the swim to be ratified. An official, impartial observer is sent from the Channel Swimming Association in order to verify that this, and other rules are followed appropriately. 

How do you eat?  I am still working on what exactly I will be eating during the swim, as it has changed, and is different for every person, but it will be some sort of liquid nutrition, thrown off the boat to me. People usually have their "food" tied to a pole or rope. 

Will you be wearing a wetsuit? Nope. That's why I gotta train so hard in the Bay. The SF Bay has very comparable water temperatures. Getting acclimated isn't too hard.. it just requires patience, diligence and the mindset that cold water is more fun!! Fun fact: It is tradition to call those who swim without wetsuits in open water, naked swimmers!

So then, how cold is the water? Anywhere from 57-64 degrees. Hopefully it will be on the warmer end! (thx global climate change...)

Are there sharks? 

Swimmers R Friends,  Not Food. 

Naw. Ain't no sharks to worry about, jellyfish on the other hand can sometimes present a problem. They do sting and some people do experience fairly bad reactions to being stung. Last time I was lucky enough to avoid them for the most part. I also just don't like seals, they've crept up on me one too many times. Those aren't really in the Channel though. 

How much does something like this cost? Well...a lot. The total bill, including some training costs will reach about $11,000 dollars. I have been saving up, but unfortunately working in a non-profit this year will not be yielding any huge dividends. I am looking into sponsorship and various other types of fundraising, but I will be relying on the kindness of many to support me in this journey. I also am hoping that I can raise money and awareness about mental health illnesses along the way (still looking for an organization to donate to, open to any suggestions), and would love to donate a little something to that as well. Last time I made and sold shirts as a fundraiser...still debating about doing that, so please comment on whether or not you think that would be a good use of my time. 

Straight from the archives: A much younger Jasper (center), is depicted here wearing one of our handmade Delia fish shirts. My good friend and former pacer Leore (left) and her twin sister Shanni (right) were kind enough to hold Jasper up...and to come all the way to England to support me both in and out of the water!!

Hopefully that has touched on some of the major questions that you all have...but as always feel free to leave me comments and I will get back to you as fast as I can.  I also encourage anyone who is interested in swimming the channel to check out the Channel Swimming Association's website (where I found most of my facts included here). 

Also for all you social media oriented folks, you can follow me on instagram @deliasalomon for more frequent picture uploads!

Gettin' there one step (on Jasper) at a time!