Congratulations! I know who I'm voting for in Open Water male swimmer of the year. That's such a huge accomplishment and what a record! 7 attempts, 7 successes. Can't beat that.
Thank you everyone for the amazing support - what a beautiful journey! 11:16 crossing between Donaghadee, Northern Ireland and Portpatrick, Scotland. We measured the water temperature from around 13-14C (55.4-57.2F) throughout the day. Saw plenty of Lion's Mane, however was able to navigate around the large ones and took a few small stings. Overall, just an incredible countryside and such friendly people - looking forward to the day I can return again! Will post the full report in the coming days.
Having come back to piloting swimmers on the North Channel after a 20 year break, it has been extremely satisfying to see some remarkable achievements this past season, 2 of which have been nominated for female and male swimmer of the year, very well deserved.
Fergal Somerville swam in June, the earliest swim ever in probably the coldest water ever, a truly fantastic effort.
Michelle Macy had an unsuccessful attempt in 2012 but came back this year with a superb effort and early jokes of lunch in portpartick were looking like a reality by noon. her record time was another remarkable achievement.
other swimmers this season were defeated, "failure" is not a word to associate with the North Channel and none should consider they failed.
Milko Van Gool came to have a go, by his own admission not a fast swimmer or out for any records, but he succeeded in taking the male record for fastest time.
Pat gallant-Charette swam for 16 hours and was within less than a mile of the finish when adverse tides simply beat her, heartbreaking to have to stop when so close to a finish, a gallant attempt worthy of recognition.
She intends returning.
To all of them and those who did not make it, WELL DONE.
Hey @Quinton, now that you are a member, how you feel about a Q&A here from people? We could start a new Q&A thread, and you could answer when you get a chance over a few days?
For many members this would their first chance to talk to / ask questions of a such a hugely experienced pilot, (and the North Channel no less).
Fair play to you Quinton. You have been a fantastic support on my North Channel challenges in 2012 and 2013. I am very proud of my North Channel crossing and I am deeply indebted to you for your continuuing support and encouragement. Your enthusiasm and experience are fantastic and I am happy to reccommend you to any/all aspirants; even some of whom might consider taking me on the boat to participate in their success. I wish you all the success in the coming years. Your route, that you have developed and mastered, over the past year will produce more success in 2014 and you will be reflected in that success.
I should add that I particularly like Quinton's point of including those who did not make it across. This is such a beastly swim that some unsuccessful crossings easily rank, in my view, with the best of the successful ones when it comes to grit and heroic determination.
Well said @Fergal and @MvG! Hope to be back summer 2014 to crew for a friend - loved my time up there! @Quinton, question, how many people do you already have signed up for next year? Just wondering...
Hey fellas, I work for Quinton now. I am happy to help anyone coming to take on the North Channel. So, anyone out there give me a call, drop me a line. If I can be of any help I'll be delighted to oblige.
If you are ever thinking of doing the North Channel then Quinton Nelson is your man. He successfully guided me across last year and followed up with Milko Van Gool (Men's record holder) and Michelle Macy (Fastest). Quinton pioneered and refined a new route (which deservedly has his name) that uses the best advantage of tides to take swimmers from Donaghadee to Portpatrick for the North Channel and his expertise is only matched by his experience. So, get on the email or phone to Quinton and book a date for your dream to become reality. You will find Quinton at
Received a message for a 10hr 03min crossing for Sabrina Wiedmer today in the North Channel! Can we get a second confirmation? WELL DONE. Very exciting to have two fast crossings already this summer!!
Sabrina confirmed for 10h03m. @Fergal was on her crew, @CraigMoz & I were crew yesterday for Finnbarr. Temp was actually much higher than the initial temp I reported yesterday at 14C. I'll have a couple of blog posts on it in a few weeks. @Quinton was pilot for both swims and did a fab job. The man knows the NC like no other.
BTW, the North Channel was Sabrina's first marathon swim! (For those who don't know, NC qualification has changed from requiring an EC solo first).
Perfect. Some big non-stinging barrel jellies, a few Lion's Mane, but they were down deep. I saw one on the surface but it missed Fin. Almost all visible jellies disappeared after 3 hours.
Forum co-admin Caroline Block @thelittlemerwookie completed her 4th swim between Ireland and Scotland yesterday, becoming undisputed Queen of the North Channel and breaking a tie with Kevin Murphy and Alison Streeter. Simply amazing.
@evmo said:
Forum co-admin Caroline Block @thelittlemerwookie completed her 4th swim between Ireland and Scotland yesterday, becoming undisputed Queen of the North Channel and breaking a tie with Kevin Murphy and Alison Streeter. Simply amazing.
Comments
-LBJ
“Moderation is a fatal thing. Nothing succeeds like excess.” - Oscar Wilde
"I never met a shark I didn't like"
Cheers to adventure!!
www.darren-miller.com
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania U.S.A.
Fergal Somerville swam in June, the earliest swim ever in probably the coldest water ever, a truly fantastic effort.
Michelle Macy had an unsuccessful attempt in 2012 but came back this year with a superb effort and early jokes of lunch in portpartick were looking like a reality by noon. her record time was another remarkable achievement.
other swimmers this season were defeated, "failure" is not a word to associate with the North Channel and none should consider they failed.
Milko Van Gool came to have a go, by his own admission not a fast swimmer or out for any records, but he succeeded in taking the male record for fastest time.
Pat gallant-Charette swam for 16 hours and was within less than a mile of the finish when adverse tides simply beat her, heartbreaking to have to stop when so close to a finish, a gallant attempt worthy of recognition.
She intends returning.
To all of them and those who did not make it, WELL DONE.
For many members this would their first chance to talk to / ask questions of a such a hugely experienced pilot, (and the North Channel no less).
loneswimmer.com
Milko
https://db.marathonswimmers.org/p/milko-van-gool/
Milko
https://db.marathonswimmers.org/p/milko-van-gool/
www.darren-miller.com
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania U.S.A.
contact quinton@nelsonsboats.co.uk
Web: http://www.nelsonsboats.co.uk/
Telephone: 0289 188 3403
Mobile: 07811 230215
Email: quinton@nelsonsboats.co.uk
I am based in Dublin and happy to help any North Channel aspirants with advice, equipment, company for swimming in Dublin and the odd swimmerman's tale or two. You can get me on fjs1@eircom.net, http://fergalsomerville.blogspot.ie/ and https://www.facebook.com/fergal.somerville.
Fergal
His tracker is http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0YhXOBQqkQpmxOvStS7U1F9qYgvQ2gTg6
Milko
https://db.marathonswimmers.org/p/milko-van-gool/
We're all just carbon, water, starlight, oxygen and dreams
Milko
https://db.marathonswimmers.org/p/milko-van-gool/
www.darren-miller.com
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania U.S.A.
BTW, the North Channel was Sabrina's first marathon swim! (For those who don't know, NC qualification has changed from requiring an EC solo first).
loneswimmer.com
Milko
https://db.marathonswimmers.org/p/milko-van-gool/
loneswimmer.com
loneswimmer.com
Well done @slknight on your North Channel swim! 11h42m, a very quick time.
https://track.rs/infinitySusanKnight
How'd it go?
Thanks! It was painful.
I've heard The North Channel described as being electrocuted while freezing to death.
I would say that's a pretty accurate description!!
Guys guys...that sounds awful!
Forum co-admin Caroline Block @thelittlemerwookie completed her 4th swim between Ireland and Scotland yesterday, becoming undisputed Queen of the North Channel and breaking a tie with Kevin Murphy and Alison Streeter. Simply amazing.
Thanks, @evmo!!!