I started as the first of six 2005 Irish Channel solo aspirants to swim in July and I failed to get to France – pulled after 8 hours. The seas were rough, the skies dark, my feeding technique a disaster and I was dehydrated and suffering from hypothermia. The waves hit 45 degrees into my left shoulder and it was like hitting a heavy bag 15,000 times.
I booked a 2nd swim the same September period as the last two Irish swimmers and set about repairing my dead left arm and putting in some different training. Of special concern: swimming and feeding in big waves. I also added 7 pounds of fat (to ward off future hypothermia) by eating lots of big meals and ice cream.
In addition to the pool training and two mile close to shore ocean training I headed out to sea for three swims in water temperatures of 14C (57F). Two were 6 miles in massive seas – just to practice feeding and one was a fast 5.5 miles in just over 2 hours in calm seas.
The final tune up was a race in Killrey in 11.5C (53F) waters. I sped out fast and was up a mile after four miles. Missing the turn took me another two miles out to sea and then two miles back and I was then 3 miles behind! I called it a day after four hours and nine cold miles. I got the conditioning but my “race awareness” wasn’t the best!
9th September
One of my training partners, Imelda, started her swim just before I headed to the airport to fly to England. She was in calm seas with sunshine!
Owen and I - the last two Irish swimmers of the year were set for the next day.
I got focused and my team made sure I was selfish as well once we arrived. We spent time in front of “The Wall” of Channel honour in front of the Varne Ridge caravan park. I could see the other names and visualized my own name painted on the wall.
Imelda completed the swim in 14 hours thirty minutes and the weather was holding.
At 9PM, there was no wind and my captain called to postpone the swim to Sunday. I was disappointed: Owen was still going and I started to question my captain. Minutes later the winds started up, heavy rain followed and we saw lightening. Maybe the captain was right.
10th September
Owen was in calm seas under clear skies. All my doubts started again – did my captain get it wrong? Would the weather now be terrible for the rest of my slot and would I miss my chance?
Imelda arrived with the Irish flag flying and her name already on “The Wall” – a very emotional moment. Hugging the most recent soloist can only give confidence!
We met the captain and went through the briefing. The key things were feeding and motivation – they were instructed (by me) to lie or just make things up if they thought it would help my motivation. The captain suggested a 4am (high tide) start as it was expected I would finish in well under 12 hours in calm seas. Finally, he sold us on a better feeding technique. They used a fishing pole and large opening, flip top plastic bottle. It sure sounded better than our squeeze bottles and twine!
I did a short swim in Dover harbour on Saturday – water was calm and warm - 18.5C (65F). I made my final selection amongst the goggles and lined up the second and third choice in case a strap broke. I also collected a few flint nodules on the beach for souvenirs.
Hydration continued at a pace and soon I knew every toilet in Dover.
Owen made it in 16 plus hours!
The captain called to confirm the swim Sunday but moved the time forward an hour – meet at 2:15 am and swim at 3 am. I continued with my 4th poor night’s sleep in a row.
11 September
I was up at 1 am to shave (stubble will wear a hole through the skin out there!) and apply sun cream. My thoughts kept drifting to all those effected by the 911 in New York where I had attended University. The focus came back quickly as the boat was loaded. A calm few minutes as we moved around the breakwater and into the open sea – the swell was bigger than I expected but nothing compared to July.
I started to get ready: stripped down and pulled on my speedo with attached light stick, ear plugs coated with lanolin (sheep fat grease), cap and goggles with another attached light stick. My wife Anne donned the plastic glove and applied a thick coat of lanolin around my arm pits, neck, groin and under all speedo edges. It would stop chafing in the salt water.
A few minutes to the west and we pulled into the lee of the breakwater – in total darkness - Shakespeare’s Beach.
About the Author: Ned Denison played water polo goalie in the USA and England for twenty years before taking up open water swimming in 2000. His move to Cork Ireland allows all year sea training (no wet suit)in temperatures ranging from 7 to 17 C (45 to 63 F). Active in Cork Masters - www.corkmasters.ie - and up to 200 local open water swims annually in Ireland keeps him fit. Ned plans to join 50 other Irish swimmers on 30 Sept 06 for the Alcatraz race and then take on the 26 mile Santa Barbara Strait the next week.
