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 Jersey to France Swim In Progress
At 7.16 a.m. this morning, Wednesday 1st July, Colleen Blair, from Dundee, Scotland set off from La Coupe Point in her bid to swim the 14 miles from Jersey to France. She was seen off this morning by her Mother Irene and various Club members.
Colleen no stranger to our shores, having completed a round island swim in 2006, has a very impressive resume and swims include the English Channel, North Channel, Loch Ness, Round Manhattan and many other Loch swims in Scotland and Ireland. I shall be contacting her pilot ‘Charlie’ Gravett at various times today to report on her progress and shall attempt to keep the site updated as often as I can.
On board ‘Sea Swimmer’ today are Colleen’s father Bill, ‘Charlie’ Gravett as Captain and Mick Le Guilcher as first mate.
Updates:
9.00 am from ‘Charlie’
We are approximately 3.5 nautical miles into the swim and although it is lovely and warm the heavy sea mist that is clinging to the boat is making conditions very difficult. We are on course in a flat calm sea and Colleen is happily swimming alongside the boat. We’ve seen very little ‘traffic’ out here today, only the occasional fishing boat has passed. Visibility is the only draw back!
John Searson from the met office thinks it might blow up at around 4 to 5 pm, but we should be done and dusted by then.
Noon update from ‘Sea Swimmer’
Still maintaining a good course but falling behind schedule by 1.5 nautical miles. Not too bothered as we’re above the usual tidal run. By far the worst thing is all the flies and bumble bees that are covering the support vessel. It would also be nice to have better visibility as the sea mist is hanging in there. Can just about make out the distant French coast with approximately 6 miles to go. Sea is still flat calm and Colleen is still going well. Probably another four hours swimming.
2.00 pm Text from ‘Charlie’
4.5 nautical miles to go. Tide should pick up soon and take us north. Still unable to make out any buildings on the beach where we’re heading. Swim progressing well.
15.07 pm report from Sally
Almost 8 hours - wind has picked up and the wind appears to against the tide and they are having a job getting closer - but they will - eventually! Colleen will certainly not be cold when she is very used to 10/12c in her homeland of Dundee - it is a heat wave out there and the sea here is well over 16.5c so it will be even warmer near la belle France!!!
16.32 pm report from ‘Charlie’ on a very dodgy line. (apologies if I get something wrong.)
9 hours into the swim and about a mile and a half off the coast of France. Colleen is having to work very hard now as she is going across both wind and tide. All credit to her being such a powerful swimmer to fight the lumpy conditions we’re experiencing presently. Many a swimmer would have given up at this point.
At 10/5 hours of swimming - and they are still about 1 mile off the coast - right in line with where they want to finish - but the wind has picked up to a F4 and is against the tide - so it is gonna be a very tough finish .. As all of us Channel Swimmer already know - the swim has only just begun!!!!! Go Colleen Go!!!
The first swim for 2009 from Jersey to France has been completed in 12 hours 27 minutes. According to Captain Charlie “ a gutsy swim”. She has a 3 hour journey back and should be at St Catherine’s around 10.30 pm this evening.
President’s Update
When someone says - 'I would like to swim around Jersey' - or 'swim the Channel' - there are a lot of 'pieces to the big jigsaw that helps that person achieve their ambition.
With open water swimming, the elements play such a huge part in the whole affair - that much of the 'success' is out of the swimmers control.
When you walk the Itex, you practise walking - and walking and walking, building up hours on your feet.
When you embark on the swim training, there also needs to be many many 'swimming miles in the muscles'; feeding needs to be perfected - and the weather has to be 'right' - oh yes, and the support crew HAS to be there and good for the swimmer as well.
This summer, 4 young Jersey swimmers - will be achieving big swims - weather and elements permitting!
Alice Harvey (18) - already swam around Jersey in 2006 will be attempting to swim from Jersey to France in August, before going to University in September;
Bianca Kempster (17) - will be attempting to swim around Jersey - within the next 2 weeks!
Chantelle le Guilcher (15) - is also attempting to swim around Jersey at the beginning of August
Tasmin Powell (15) - is also attempting to swim around Jersey later in August
These four girls are no strangers to open water swimming having been enjoying the sea for many years already and last year, were also in a Channel Relay team with 2 Australian teenagers.
To do these swims, as well as pool fitness training which they have been doing all winter for years since they were all 8/9years old (and before!), they will also be swimming as often as they can in the sea now depending on school and work commitments. Sometimes this is at 6am - or after 1900hrs.
They also have to prove themselves to the club officials, that they are ready and 'fit enough' by completing a 6 hour qualifying swim, at least 2 weeks before their swim date is planned for.
Yesterday, Bianca, Chantelle and Tasmin along with Alison wood, also in training for a Jersey to France swim in August, all completed their 6 hour swims in perfect conditions in St Catherine's bay visiting Gorey Pier a couple of times! under the watchful eyes of 'kayakers extraordinaire', Wendy Prunty, Dee Richards and Sally Minty-Gravett - assisted by Cris Little and Janet Lewis sharing the 6 hours on a 4th kayak. The club's smaller boat, Channel Girl was also in the water with Martin Powell, Mick le Guilcher and 'Charlie' Gravett - with all the girls feeds so that they all practised 'feeing at sea'. Many thanks to all concerned and who helped out - and of course, the parental and family support crew on St Catherine's slipway have the tedious job of sunbathing, chatting while waiting for their young ones to return - but they are as important as all the 'rest of the package'.
It was an awesome day with all 4 girls finishing laughing!
Alice Harvey's 6 hour swim is planned for next Sunday - with the girls all helping out on a kayak.
HOWEVER - when a young person who loves swimming, and has been swimming since they were tiny - progressing from the baby pool, to the big pool - and then to their 50m badge, 200m badge - and then their 1000m and more - there comes a time when other 'aquatic sports' come into their lives ...maybe competitive swimming, water polo, synchro, scuba, surfing. sailing or sea swimming!!
The JLDSC are now experiencing record numbers of swimmers; today we welcomed 50 swimmers to Havre des Pas Bathing pool. All swimmers are grouped into similar ability groups and allocated to an experienced 'leader' - invariably one of Jersey's Channel swimmers, to look after them and take them on a new 'sea adventure'!
The 'elements' at the moment in the glorious sunshine are no doubt helping our numbers rise - but also, the enthusiasm which is being shown is outstanding.
Many of the new swimmers are joining us from the pool and because they are swimming, some of their parents are also joining them in the sea and enjoying our beautiful clear waters on a weekly basis - and sometimes this is for the first time; this is amazing and is being encouraged.
New Families swimming today - the Voak Family (5 of them!), the Asplets, the Holleys, and new swimmers today Jane and Lucy Hacker. WELCOME to you all.
Today was the club's Ann Flambard swim in memory of Richard's Mum - and as from next year it will be called the Flambard swim in memory of Paul and Ann Flambard. The trophy will be shared this year between 2 of our very keen new youngsters, Dominic Holley (8) and Joe Foley (10).
The trophy is given to a Junior of the Committee's choice who have tried really hard.
NEXT SUNDAY, JULY 5TH, THERE WILL BE A CLUB SWIM ON ST CATHERINE'S SLIPWAY MEETING 10.45, AT 11AM
Sally Minty-Gravett
JLDSC President
28 June 2009
Fancy Dress Swim
A message from the Junior’s Committee representative, Alice Harvey to all club members (especially juniors!)
As the junior member of the club committee I organise a few swims a year and in 2 weeks (12th July) you will have realised on your swim programme that there is a fancy dress swim!
This swim was run 5 years ago for the 30th anniversary of the club and has been decided that we will run it again this year as it is the 35th anniversary.
All club members are welcome to 'dress up' for the swim but you must be able to swim a set distance in your costume. Dependent on boats/buoys in the water on the day we will make a short course that will be suitable for all abilities to swim. (There will be other committee members/more experienced swimmers to assist with the younger swimmers)
Fancy dress can be any theme...I will be buying prizes for the best and most imaginative costumes!!
For those of you not wanting to dress up/are in training for big swims, there will be club swim as normal so just come down to St Catherine's at the time on the swim programme.
Any questions just ask myself, Sal or another committee member.
Alice Harvey
P.s.
I'm planning on dressing up too!!
Sorry for the late notice but things have been very busy! I hope 2 weeks is enough time for you to think/plan an outfit!
Training Sessions move outside
All pool training has now ceased and the Club have now moved to their summer venue which is mainly St Catherine’s Slip every Tuesday evening at the earlier meeting time of 6.30 p.m. Please note that there will not be a club swim on 7th July as this is the night of the JSC’s swim around St Aubin’s Fort and a great number of our swimmers are taking part.
As St Catherine’s slipway can become very busy during the light summer evenings we may need to move to other bays from time to time for safety reasons. Club members will be informed of the venue by e-mail prior to the swim so it’s important to ensure that the club secretary has your details please refer to the Summer Swim Program for the relevant telephone numbers.
Last updated 1July 2009
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