Gallery
The English Channel versus the Ironman
Both require stamina and fitness.
The Ironman
Location - Can be completed anywhere
Distance 140.6 miles 0swim 2.4 miles cycle 112 miles run 26.2 miles
You have 17 hours to complete it although I am sure you may have a target time.
Low body weight for the Ironman. Many swimmers now cycle run and land exercises so that’s good new if training for the ironman then the English Channel.
English Channel
Location -Dover Strait
Distance 21 mils (34km) narrowest point in a straight line
No marathon long distance swim is more challenging than the English Channel.
The heart and lungs will benefit from an Ironman race 9-17 hours and this will help you in the swim.
The English Channel is a waiting game for the right conditions usually August to September.
hogh body fat content for the chennel swim plus 30% increases your chances of success.
Training
During your build up you have 3 sports
When the weather is bad indoor cycle or run outside and swim.
Double up swim session days.
Use hand paddles
Don’t use a pull buoy
Consider using a rubber band around ankles to quickly build up fatigue
Improve your kick because a lazy kick in training can fatigue during the channel swim.
You will at times need to work hard to get the last 2-3 miles either against the current or swim across it; this will involve kicking harder without getting leg cramps.
English Channel tips
Lots of open water swimming
Join a swim club, masters group if you have not done so already.
Ask around some tri clubs or masters swim club anyone swam the channel?
Get as many views as you can we are all different and many unique experiences which you can use.
Use as much grease as possible it will not stay on and can delay chaffing to occur.
Learn to swim at an angle against the current.
Use a wet suit early season in April with a neoprene swim cap. Get use to the cold water. Then as soon as possible don’t use it again for the whole summer apart from key Ironman work outs.
Cold baths (not ice baths just cold water) once a week at least from January building up to 15 minutes to prepare you for open water.
Expect you may have to swim twice as far because the English Channel current pushes you in a shape.
This can be sole destroying as you get closer then further away then closer again.
A good experienced English Channel swimmer boat guide is invaluable to read the large ships travelling in all directions in the Channel and the tides to get you across without being pushed so far right that you can not get to France. If you are unable to get to Cape Gris-Nez expect to swim for another 90-120 minutes.
Start at Shakespeare Cliff between Dover & Folkestone and aim for Cap Gris Nez between Boulogne & Calais.
Useful tips to help you swim in open water
http://www.ironmate.co.uk/How-to-prevent-illness-after-open-water-swimming.htm
http://www.ironmate.co.uk/How-to-swim-in-rough-water.htm
http://www.ironmate.co.uk/Over.come.open.water.conditions.htm
http://www.ironmate.co.uk/open.water.swim.training.sessions.for.triathlon.htm
http://www.ironmate.co.uk/open-water-swimming-equipment.htm
Equipment
The rules to become an official English Channel swimmer
One swim hat
One swim goggles
Traditional swim costume,
Grease
Earplugs
Consider a nose clip
Eligible – Rules and regulations
To be able to qualify you must have completed a 6 hour swim in 16 degrees or colder.
You can stop but not hold onto anything or anyone apart form the pole to feed.
You are allowed to eat.
Disqualified
No physical contact with your boat or person or anything to allow you to stay afloat or help your progress.
If you wear a wet suit.
Get into the boat then back into the water you will be disqualified even if the boat is not moving.
Official English Channel swimmer
Start by walking into the sea and exit the sea and stand on dry land is required to become an official Channel swimmer.
English Channel facts & figures
Almost twice as many people have climbed Mount Everest than swam the English Channel.
Some years 4 times as many people get to the summit of Mount Everest than successfully cross the channel.
Shortest point from Shakespeare beach Dover to Cape Gris –Nez in France is just over 21 miles.
6 hour tidal shift that will cause you to zig zag across the English Channel, this will cause you to swim about 26 miles (marathon distance) during your attempt.
Over half successful crossing are made in August each year the rest are either July or September.
Temperature range 13-19 degrees
Degrees Degrees
centigrade Farenheight
C F
13 - 55.4
14 - 57.2
15 - 59.0
16 - 60.8
17 - 62.6
18 - 64.4
19 - 66.2
Average swim time 10:14 – 19:49 (conditions play a big part in performance)
Captain Matthew Webb 24th August 1875 was the first recorded person to swim across the English Channel and took 21 hours and 45 minutes. Others failed before Matthew was successful.
Fastest time up to 2007 6:57:50
Things that can hinder your success
Salt water sickness affects more than 18% of swimmers (being sick or salt water throat)
One of the busiest shipping lanes in the world with over 400 ships that will also use the English Channel each day. Many large ships can take 3 miles to stop. A large ship can be 3 times the length of a football pitch and the same width of a football pitch.
Hypothermia
Jelly Fish that can cause painful stings
Oil slicks can make you feel ill
Inability to stop take foods from a pole without touching the boat and continue
Cramp from cold stops you being able to swim
Floating debris, weed sunken trees wood etc if hi can stop injuries.
Chafing under the arms.
Weather conditions can change from bright sunny light winds to cold freezing fog.
Wind can change causing waves to suddenly increase in size.
Seasickness
Inability to absorb food become weak and unable to continue.
Large amount of sea weed.
No sharks have been reported.
I believe that there have been 6 deaths from those attempting to swim the channel, more have sadly died in just one year climbing mount Everest.
Fastest time 2008
6 hours 58 minutes
Number of successful crossings 1,415 (correct at time of posting this article)
Celebrity fitness
David Walliams comedian has completed the English Channel swim.
Useful contacts
The Maritime & Coast guard agency (UK Coast guard)
www.mcga.gov.uk
French Maritime agency
To request permission
Channel swimming Association (CSA)
This is the governing body for English Channel swimming
www.channelswimmingassocation.com
Channel swimming & pilot federation (CS&PF)
www.channelswimming.net
Go to “the Channel swimming & piloting federation” for more advice
Swimming in cold water can cause death, never swim alone attempt to swim across the channel alone.
One of the most comprehensive guides about the English Channel.
*COPY RIGHT NOTE*
Due to this site being copied by coaches to receive payment from their potential channel swimming clients much of the important information has now been removed.
For example my English Channel race day nutrition advice which has taken more than 12 years to refine was copied and used by others without first considering the swimmers
Age -sex -estimated time the swimmer would take -body type -their fat content, stroke rate and food allergies etc.
Without some of Marks important English Channel swim & training tips you could fail to finish.
Mark has completed an English Channel relay swim competed in many long distance swims with and without a wet suit.
Mark has studied what it takes to cross the English Channel.
Mark has coached & advised swimmers to successfully cross the English Channel.
For one to one help contact Mark for individual coaching.
Mark also holds training camps for Ironman, long distance triathlons, swimming, cycling and running.
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