Jen's Spot

Here's Jen telling us how she's felt about the Channel swimming so far. I, like her, hold booze responsible for signing up to this madness:

"The main reaction when I tell people I am swimming the channel has been- ‘you know you can fly/ get a ferry/ train there don’t you Jen?’ Usually shortly followed by; ‘but you can wear a wetsuit so it wont be that bad, will it?’ The response that no we can’t wear a wetsuit for it to be a legitimate attempt, is often shortly followed by ‘you are mental’ or words to that effect!

Waking up at 6.20am on a miserable Saturday morning I was definitely in agreement. I had had to leave the party at 11.30 the night before (turning down free drinks) because of this and I did not want to go to Dover. Once again I silently cursed Mike for suggesting this Channel swimming malarkey, and myself for (admittedly after a few drinks), thinking it sounded like a fantastic idea and proclaiming (no doubt quite loudly and enthusiastically) sign me up!!

Anyway, I made my hot chocolate, met the guys at Charing Cross Station and we made our way (on the 7.30am train) to Dover. We arrived to grey skies and a mild drizzle, not really the sort of weather that makes you want to strip down to your swimming cossie (or Trunks) and go for a swim. Freda (the matriarch who oversees the proceedings) set us our challenge, which was a lot further than we had swum the previous time (a fortnight ago), and given that Kerry and I started to wonder if we would die out there the last time, we were a little hesitant. However fresh from our adventures in the Lido we set off!

It is a little scary when you are cold before you get in the water, and the breathlessness created by the shock of the cold water (12 degrees) does restrict our swimming ability! This combined with the waves on this particular day made it heavy going. Everyone has different reactions to the cold water, for me it’s my hands, they sort of cramp up and I end up swimming along trying to clench and unclench them as I swim- ineffective at best! When we get out we can’t walk because of the effects of the cold water (after 40 minutes in there) on our bodies, we then have to wrap ourselves up in as many layers as is humanly possible and try to stay warm. Normally we would be required to get back in the water, but thankfully as these were ‘The worst conditions you will face’ Freda decided it would be reckless for us to get in again!

So…looking forward to the next swim as it can only get better from here can’t it?"