In addition to the personal challenge, James Pittar will also enjoy the competition and camaraderie of the five other swimmers like himself who have completed solo English Channel solo swims. This will be the strongest field yet to contest the annual race. James has a history of overcoming challenges: English Channel, Straits of Gibraltar, Catalina Channel, 28.5 miles round Manhattan Island, etc. While the other swimmers will look across at Inisbofin before the race and then try to catch their first glimpse from the water after 6 miles James will only have the cold reassurance of hearing a whistle blown by his crew: 1 blast for left and 2 short blasts for right. This amazing swimmer will be the first blind swimmer in an Irish marathon swim. For James - just another challenge!
These waters are a daunting place to swim a marathon. Halfway thru the swimmers loose all sight of land. They only take visual comfort from seeing their arms stroking below, their safety kayaker every few seconds and if they are lucky the occasional other swimmer. They may even see the sun on a nice day and jellyfish, as big as bin lids, hopefully below out of reach.
Ten of the swimmers will compete in relays with lots of team encouragement. The other 23 swimmers will take on the challenge of a solo swim. Some will have unfinished business from a previous year where they couldn't complete the swim. Others will be attempting the solo for the first time and looking to complete the longest swim of their lives. Deirdre Kearney, the Vibes & Scribes Lee Swim 2006 ladies champion, is one such swimmer: "I did the swim last year as part of a two person relay with Linda Clarke. We both agreed that it was a distance that we could manage individually if we had the sun on our backs. Seeing other great swimmers like Ronan Joyce, Andrew Flanagan, Helen Walley and John Conroy to name but a few look so satisfied with solo swims made me think I want to be part of that group." Graham Coleman and Diarmuid Herlihy will use the swim as a tune up for their planned solo swims across the English Channel and Straits of Gibraltar later in the year.
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 joined other Irish swimmers in 2006 for the Alcatraz race and then took on the 26 mile Santa Barbara Strait the next week.
