A group of 15 beach goers smiled at me from 5 meters away and I thought – they had to know I came from Dover! I was disappointed that it was all sand and therefore I couldn’t take a rock home as a souvenir. I turned towards the sea and raised both arms first half way then straight up. My wife thought I was punching the sky in joy. No such luck, frankly I was surprised that they actually complied. There wasn’t a smile or yell in me.
From Beach to Boat
As I looked out to sea, the mystery of the banners became clear. Kite boarders were zipping across the beach at 30 miles and hour. So much for heading for the blue banner – no wonder I was confused! The banners were Kite boarding sails – in motion! Then the small inflatable with the mate caught a big wave and flipped over – I guess it was a bit rough out there. I had no sympathy for him. I stepped back into the sea either to swim to the big boat or help the mate. I crawled up into the now righted inflatable – clearly the engine had been swamped and he started to row with these tiny little oars. It was cold sitting there in the wind and my left leg was stuck in an odd position and the calf cramped. My mind directed the leg to move – but it ignored me.
With the wind and waves, it was tricky to step to the water level back platform on the big boat. My determination continued – I wasn’t going to fall and crack my head. With helping hands under my armpits I made it up the ladder and Anne said later that my entire body was swollen and my eyes were out and filled the goggles. Not until an hour later did my eyes move back into my head.
The crew got me dry, covered and a couple of hot water bottles got inserted under the pullover. With some hot liquid I did manage to get down a ham sandwich. My throat was very sore and felt like it was nearly swollen shut. The boat trip was four hours back to Dover and I snoozed and twice made my way to the toilet (as in the crew instructions – I never walked without somebody ready to catch me if I fell) to pee.
The crew were not sick during the crossing to France. Each reported being in the most intense focus for nearly 13 hours. Once I was back on board and sleeping, to of the three were sick over the side within minutes. So much for the crew relaxing!
We drove to the caravan park to be greeted by the USA and Irish flags on the pole and my name on “The Wall”.
We spent time looking at the course map (see attached). It is 21 miles straight across but nearly 30 miles as the tides dictate your path. At the final left sweep I was driven by 6 mile/hour tides – you can’t swim against these. My swim path was nearly perfect. Another 30 minutes faster and I would have hit Cap Gris-Nez dead-on! This would have come with calmer water, an earlier start, no hour five weakness or better production from that left arm!
12th September
I was ill one last time before bed and then slept very well.
I was up at 3 am and just sat for hours until the others woke. I am not sure what if anything I was thinking – just sat moving between a smile and tears. My physical condition wasn’t bad: swollen mouth, tongue and throat; cramped left calf; massive lumps in both forearms and sore all around where the goggles touched. Only in the morning did I notice the “congratulations” banner and balloons across the huge caravan window.
The next day was dominated by calls to friends and 50+ mobile messages. I read them all and replied. One of the best was an automatic text message from Vodafone welcoming me to France!
13th September
I had a very emotional greeting by the Cork Masters swimmers at training. Three successful solo swimmers in the same year and 12 relayers – a record! Off to the 1.25 mile Alcatraz swim followed by the Santa Barbara channel in September 2006 – a bit longer than the English Channel!
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 (openwater@corkmasters.ie) 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.
